#kizashi is the first to know

[generisydtoo]

Why I draw Sakura with brown skin

(Bc people frequently ask)

Disclaimer❗️: I’m not saying my design is better or a “fixed” version of her canon design. I like her canon design, and I also like mine and other people's designs of her with brown skin :)

For reference, here’s how I mostly draw Sakura:

My main reasons are:

I started off really wanting to know how she would look if she had a skin tone that resembled Kizashi (her dad), especially since there’s not a whole lot of skin tone diversity among the Naruto characters (esp the main cast). In terms of looks, the only thing she got from Kizashi was her hair, so I wanted to expand on that!

Aesthetics/artistic liberty. I love how pink looks with brown skin; pink and brown is such an underrated combo. I've seen people say that she resembles a cherry blossom more with fair skin but personally, I think she resembles the entirety of a cherry blossom tree with brown skin. I hope that doesn't sound too corny, lol.

Personally, I headcanon her ethnicity to be Japanese and Black. One of the people I reference for her design is Naomi Osaka (especially with her pink hair and Kishimoto's drawing of her and Sakura), who is Japanese and Haitian!

Bonus (Hair):

As for her hair, I draw it curly bc of how her and her dad’s hair stick up. Their hair seems to naturally defy gravity, and in Kizashi's case, it's to the point where it can form and hold a cherry blossom shape. When I was younger and saw it for the first time, I thought it was the coolest thing, and interpreted it as curls lol.

I see people call Kizashi’s hair “Patrick Star” (which is amusing, lol), but I also wish they’d also acknowledge it being a visual allusion to his daughter’s name. He seems like a person who tends to "love out loud" (which could be where Sakura gets it from); I can see him using his hair to do that with his family (with his hair being a visual allusion to his daughter). I’d go out on a limb and say that Kizashi’s hair is one of Mebuki’s favorite traits about him but maybe that’s a conversation for another day.

Here’s my interpretation of Kizashi. I kept some things fairly the same, but I translated others to how I interpreted them, particularly his kinky-curly hair. I think the curl pattern allows the cherry blossom style to naturally hold its shape well!

So for anyone wondering about my designs, I hope this answers your question. If you have any other questions or comments, feel free to comment them! Just make sure to keep it respectful :) .

[sea-owl]

You know, I still want an AU where Mebuki and Kizashi become the team parents for team 7. I have only found one so far and that's Rays of Spring Sunshine by sparklyfaerie over on AO3.

So let's add some more to the internet, lets make a childhood friends au for team 7. For shits and giggles we could also potentially add Sand Cousins to this AU later, also Merchant Haruno clan. (For those wondering what those are here's a link or two or three)

Okay, so here's what I'm thinking. We have merchant Kizashi Haruno who moved to Konoha to help expand business. Mebuki, who was originally from Suna, was a chunin level ninja during the war but retired after and moved with her husband. After the move to Konoha they have Sakura.

Mebuki has gotten a job in the village as a social worker or the equivalent to that. Because of her previously being a shinobi, a lot of her cases are children whose ninja parents died on missions. Most of them being clan kids, it was easy to find new living situations for them with other clan members and then do check ins. A lot of clans already had procedures put in place for this, too. Then, one day, she got her newest cases with a muttered good luck. Mebuki looked them over, Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki. The only survivor of the recently massacred Uchiha clan and the vessel for the nine tailed fox.

Oh dear god, what the hell?! The mom in Mebuki was ready to fist fight someone. What moron deemed it okay to let two little boys who are obviously traumatized live on their own? Nope not on Mebuki's watch.

As the new case worker for each boy, Mebuki does have to go make house calls. She takes Sakura with her, so not only will Mebuki stay calm, with several little eyes watching her, but sometimes having another child there will relax the other, and having them play together gives Mebuki more insight.

"Sakura, be nice to these boys," Mebuki tells her daughter. "Life has not been kind to them, so we must."

The little girl nodded as she followed her mother to the first apartment.

Mebuki almost fainted at the state of the apartment she entered. Does no help this boy clean? Or at least show him how?!

"Are you my new social worker?" Naruto asked, recognizing the symbol on the file in Mebuki's hands.

Mebuki nodded, getting down on the boy's eye level while she talked to him. "Yes, I'm Mebuki Haruno, and this is my daughter Sakura. May we come in?"

The boy was on edge which Mebuki didn't blame him for he has gone through almost as many social workers as he had years on this earth. But after a gentle nudge to her daughter Sakura got him to relax a little. The way he bombarded her daughter proved Meuki's suspicions true, the boy was starved for attention. It was partly why Mebuki brought her along, and her daughter's empathy was sometimes needed to help gaining other children's trust.

Sakura spending time with Naruto also gave Mebuki an insight that this boy was indeed left to fend for himself. Well, she'll have to change that. One of these days later this week, she'll have to come back with Sakura to start teaching Naruto basic life skills. She'll be damned if this boy is only surviving off ramen.

The next stop was Sasuke Uchiha's apartment. This one Mebuki was more hesitant on bringing Sakura to. Trauma and the reaction to it is unpredictable, especially in ones so young. Mental health is also often ignored among shinobi and ninja clans. Mebuki highly doubts Sasuke has received anything in healing besides his physical body.

Unsurprisingly, the boy is angry and demands they go away. Unfortunately, Mebuki is just as if not more stubborn. She's a former shinobi. Does he really think a locked door is gonna stop her?

She makes a deal with Sasuke, if she can get in then he'll work with her since he'll be seeing a lot of her in the next few years. Sasuke snorts but takes the deal thinking she won't get in, after all this women is just a civilian.

30 seconds later, Mebuki Haruno is standing inside his doorway file ready in hand.

Mebuki is right that this visit was completely different from the one she had with Naruto. Sasuke kept his focus on her with maybe one or two glances at her daughter after introductions. Sasuke seemed more interested in getting them out as soon as possible and isolating himself. Well, that won't do either. Mebuki makes a mental note to make frequent visits to Sasuke's place. According to his file, the last social worker didn't even try to help this boy with his isolation issues. Guess Mebuki will have to go the exposure therapy route. Even if it's in small bursts with her or with her and Sakura, the boy needs some sort of human interaction.

Maybe she can get him and Naruto to hang out one day? Though they may need Sakura there to buffer out the two as a middle man.

So Mebuki got to work. The Academy was currently on a break for two weeks, and Kizashi was currently away on business, so all of her visits she did have to bring Sakura. Naruto liked having her around. Sasuke seemed to tolerate it. Naruto eagerly took to learning from her, whether it's because he was learning with Sakura or Mebuki actually took the time to patiently explain things to him, she wasn't sure. She still had to break into Sasuke's apartment every time, but she actually got that boy to go out into the world even if it was just errands. And he's acknowledgumg Sakura more on the visits even sorta speaking to her. So that's a win in her book.

It was during this time that Mebuki learned the boys were actually in the same class as Sakura in the academy. She knew they all went to the academy but not the same class. This info from Sakura and the information on how they're treated helps Mebuki adjust on what she needs to do with the boys.

"Mama, Naruto, and Sasuke are lonely," Sakura stated to her after one of the visits.

Mebuki nodded. Her daughter was sharp minded. It did not surprise Mebuki Sakura picked up on the boys' loneliness.

"I want to help them."

"Continue being kind to them Sakura," Mebuki instructed. "They both need it, and maybe a friend."

When the academy started again, Mebuki wasn't surprised to hear the kids didn't interact much. The classroom and children themselves have their own social rules they tend to follow. Sakura was also friends with Ino Yamanaka, one of the most popular girls in class. So by proxy, Sakura was in the middle of the social circle, too. Sasuke wouldn't dare get close to it, and Naruto wouldn't have the chance.

What did give Mebuki some surprises was her first time checking in on the boys without Sakura. Kizashi had recently returned home and was gone again with Sakura on a daddy daughter weekend trip. Naruto, being disappointed that his new friend was away, didn't surprise Mebuki much. But it did hurt to think he thought it was because Mebuki or Kizashi didn't want her around him. Surprisingly the boy let Mebuki comfort him saying no they weren't forbidding it, this was just a planned trip before Naruto became Sakura's friend.

"Where's Sakura?"

Sasuke's question would have thrown Mebuki off had it not been for her ninja background. But she had seen the boy slowly warming up to her daughter.

"She's with her father right now."

"Hn."

This gives Mebuki an idea. On Friday afternoon, while children were in school, Mebuki had placed a sealing jutsu on the boys' apartments, one that locks them out. She also left a note saying they are to come over for dinner. After she sends Sakura to go get Naruto while she goes get Sasuke, and Kizashi starts on dinner.

Sasuke was glaring at her when she got to his apartment. "How did you do this?"

Mebuki smiled, with that pout he was trying to hide Sasuke almost looked his age. "Just because I retired being a ninja doesn't mean I still don't know how to use jutsu Sasuke. Now come on we have some things to pick up before dinner."

And that's how Friday dinners started, leading to weekend sleepovers after Mebuki and Kizashi insist that it was too late for the boys to be wondering in the dark. Kizashi's jokester nature warmed Naruto up to him fast and she swore she saw Sasuke smirk once or twice at one Kizashi's awful jokes. After a while Mebuki could stop putting the sealing jutsu on the apartments when the boys just started following Sakura home on Fridays but she kinda wants to see who figures out how to break the jutsu first.

They still don't interact unless they have to in the academy but Mebuki is starting to suspect that's more on the boys wanting this friendship to be private. Sasuke is naturally a private person and Mebuki suspects that Naruto is afraid of the public either turning one of his friends away from him or that they'll be ostracized like he was.

Mebuki knows this is technically crossing some professional boundaries but honestly she does not give a damn. And technically they're over at her house as Sakura's friends. Good luck trying to deny these boys one of their only two friends.

Mebuki can do without the pranks though. Naruto may be the only one the village blames for them but she knows better. That is not Naruto's handwriting and Naruto was never that detailed before.

It was around the time of graduation that Mebuki was starting to become a little worried. She was excited for the kids don't get her wrong but the politics of the whole thing was a pain in the ass. Newly graduated genin in Konoha were pretty much considered emancipated minors. Genin who were wards of the state like Naruto and Sasuke would be aged out of their social workers care. They would then be put on teams based on skillset. Mebuki was worried how well that was gonna work out for the children. The only ones she can see them working well with is one another but likely hood of all of them ending up on the same team was not very high.

Well she might as well start preparing. She'll have three jonin showing up soon. One to talk to the parent of Sakura and two to talk to her as the social worker to Naruto and Sasuke.

Mebuki couldn't help the laugh when she learned that all three meetings would be with Kakashi Hatake. Oh is he gonna have his hands full, she hopes her little brats gives him hell.

I'm imagining after the war team 7 stumbles into the Haruno's house at some point because Mebuki put that same damn sealing jutsu on all of their apartments. Mebuki starts chastising Sasuke like "Where. Have. You. Been?!" like he's a teenager who missed curfew and not a wanted missing ninja for the last three years. Later on when Sasuke and Sakura start traveling together Mebuki and Kizashi have a bet on how many grandchildren they'll have by the time they return and what the genders will be.

[keithisbae1]

Sakura Week Day 1: Traveling Doctor

“There you go now, all done.” The little boy peeked an eye open, he hadn’t felt the needle go into his arm like he would have imagined. “You’re such a brave boy.” Sakura smiled scribbling something down before handing him a lollypop for a job well done. “Thank you doctor,” he happily took it and ran out the door excited to tell his mom on how brave he was. Sakura smiled and went to wash her hands before heading to what was her office. She had told them that she didn’t need one as she was only here for a short while, but they insisted as it was ‘the least they could do.’ An elderly woman walked in not long after with a basket, most likely her lunch and sat on the chair in front of her placing it on the table for them. “Someone’s certainly Miss popular around here, of course you get that from me.” Sakura could only roll her eyes at the woman’s comment. The only reason she was popular was because everyone in the small village already knew her before she was known as Tsunade’s pupil and strong kunoichi. Even before she was on squad seven.

“So have you thought about my offer?” “Grandma, I told you and pops that I’m only here for a couple of weeks.” Considering Naruto and Sasuke had done their fair share of adventures outside Konoha village Sakura decided it was her turn. Tsunade had given her the go ahead and even gave a few pointers on which places could do with a doctor like her. With her medical knowledge Sakura wanted to help as many people as she could. Including teaching anyone who wanted to learn. She had previously stopped by two other places before visiting her grandparents, as they were the next closest destination. It had felt amazing! Being able to travel with no mission, taking her time to soak in the place, enjoying the views and most importantly, helping those in need. She loved her home, but they didn’t need her now. Not when other people could do with her help so much more and the more people, she teaches the more they’ll be able to help other people and so on. As for her grandparents, her father asked her to check in on them, the two were civilians and as such their house was far from the village they lived nearby at considering they liked their privacy. It was where her father grew up and met her mother. However, they were getting older now so being far away from people would do them no good if they couldn’t get to them in time. 

What if one of them had a fall, it would still take too long for the other to go and get help. She hoped she could convince them to travel and stay in Konoha so their son could take care of them. 

I know they can be stubborn but if there’s anyone who can convince them it’s you. You are a doctor now, one of the best. They’ll have to listen to you. Kizashi had trusted his daughter to look after them and she didn’t want to let him down. Her grandfather would be easier to convince but her grandma loved the place. If she could at least show her what she was capable of then maybe she could persuade her. What she didn’t expect was her to try and set her up with some stranger, they had grew attached to. 

They had first met him a few years back with his friends and invited them in as they needed shelter from the storm. He popped by a few months back, even helping around the house. He promised he’ll pay them another visit so now her grandmother has a crazy scheme to set them up. 

“And? You can spare one day to go on a date, right? You know that’s how your parents met, and how your pops and I met and-” “Yes, I know. You’ve told me this story before.” About how this village is the place where a Haruno would supposedly meet their loved one. Sure, it’s sweet but Sakura had already met her love in Konoha. Her grandmother scoffed as she took out some sandwiches for them to eat. “You youths today, you act too mature for your own good. Sure, I’m proud of the woman you became but your young and single, you should have some fun too. Especially being a kunoichi, you’re less likely to reach your parents age let alone our age.” It wasn’t a secret that her grandparents didn’t like the fact that she was a ninja. She was their only grandchild of course they’d be worried; they didn’t want to lose her before it was their time. Sakura understood their fears and figured maybe she could at least entertain her. “And he’s a shinobi, just like you. I’m sure the two of you will hit it off.” That certainly piqued her interest. A shinobi? Who was travelling by themselves and even stopped by to help her elderly grandparents? Of course, ninjas were meant to help those in need but one travelling by themselves and even as going as far as to help with unnecessary chores such as fixing the roof, doing their groceries, and chopping wood? 

She didn’t want to get her hopes up, but really what lone ninja would do such a thing? “You never mentioned him about being a shinobi.” Her grandma clicked her tongue. “Oh, so you DO listen. And yes, I did, it was the first thing I mentioned about him but knowing you, you’d probably tuned that part out because you were thinking of your imaginary boyfriend.” “He’s not imaginary, he’s just… it’s complicated.” “Right, complicated. Because the two of you are teammates or whatever. Point being, this man isn’t and he’s a catch.” 

“And how do you know we can trust him?” I mean really, he could be anybody. Sakura knew her grandparents well enough to know they can never turn away someone in need, but what if he was taking advantage of their kindness. Then again… they certainly wouldn’t make that much of an effort to protect the small village from a bunch of bandits. As much as Sakura tried to convince herself that this wasn’t Sasuke, the more she thought back about what her grandparents had said the past few days the more suspicious she got. 

“You certainly take after your mother, just because I’m old doesn’t make me an idiot. I’m not saying he’s innocent, far from it. The poor boy looks like he’s been through hell and back but once you get to my age you just know these things. That boy, despite how he may appear he has such kind eyes.” Kind eyes? Well, that certainly wasn’t another give away. “Even when we first took him in with his friends, he looked like a little lost puppy. Anyway, you’ll know what I mean, your grandpa is bringing him here to meet you. So, hurry up and freshen up, they’ll be here soon.” Sakura had almost choked on her lunch. “He’s WHAT?!” How and why? “Oh, he came this morning a few hours after you left, we mentioned you were in town and didn’t want him to leave without meeting you.” Of course they didn’t, how embarrassing. 

“He insisted that he had someone else waiting for him back home, but once we mentioned you were also a kunoichi who was Lady Tsunade’s pupil he was keen on meeting you.” Her heart skipped a beat, this was too many coincidences. Surely it couldn’t be… 

“Can you at least tell me his name?” And as if on cue, her grandpa had knocked on the door inviting themselves in. “Ah, there she is. See? We told you she’s quite a catch. A doctor and a strong kunoichi. You would be a fool not to date her.” 

Sakura immediately stood up face red as she came across a pair of familiar eyes. “Sa-Sasuke-Kun?” “Sakura.” He wasn’t even taken aback, almost expecting her. Well, how many kunoichi are there his age who was Tsunade’s pupil. He would know by now. 

“Oh, you two already met?” Her grandma was quite please, not bothered hiding her grin with her little matchmaking. “What did I tell you dear, another generation romance for the Harunos but really you couldn’t wait a few more minutes. She absolutely reeks, what kind of romantic first date will that be?” Urgh, she’ll never hear the end of this.

[artisttrova]

Guess who wanted to upload the first two chapters of one fic and work on the one I've already teased? And guess who did neither because they've got a debilitating migraine?

Yup, yours faithful

So because of this, I'm actually gonna post the first chapter here in it's entirety cause fuck it! We ball.

From the fic with a work title "Broken Nest" (I've rewritten it dozens of time and I don't care anymore if the language is shit, neither do i care about any possible grammar mistakes). This is a modern AU

The people sitting around the table sighed in joy and surprise. A second later, Sakura was surrounded by her girlfriends, all squealing in joy simultaneously, forming a very merry cacophony of sounds. Sasuke was trying his hardest not to get suffocated in his friends' arms. Naruto and Rock Lee even started crying. A moment later, Sakura's tearful mother trapped her in a bone-crashing hug, repeating time and time again how happy she was to hear the news, while her father patted Sasuke on the back and started to talk about how he would be a ‘proper’ father to him. Sasuke had to stop him from speaking as the man was getting carried away quickly.

Orochimaru was standing not far away from everyone, twirling a soda can in their hands. They heard Sasuke softly but firmly tell Kizashi that he had a parent and scoffed.

Orochimaru only rolled their eyes when they next heard Mebuki quietly say "But that freak didn't even come up to congratulate you" followed by a louder "Mom, don't say that...I'll explain" from Sakura.

They kept their silence. They would surely be offended, too, if anyone reacted to the news of their children's firstborn in the way they did. Much less the ‘parent' of their daughter's husband.

Thankfully, no one really cared about their presence, and the situation fizzled down as fast as it came up. When everyone had calmed down a bit and scattered in small groups again to discuss the baby boom that had recently hit the town, Sasuke slipped away from everyone, approaching Orochimaru, all while Sakura took her parents to another room to talk.

"Is everything all right? " Sasuke asked quietly.

"Don't worry about me, it’s your day. Congratulations again on the new addition to the family." They smiled amicably as they looked around the room. "I thought surely people would figure out I knew ahead of time, but it seems like Sakura’s mom took it to heart."

Even standing a good few feet away from the entrance to the guest bedroom, both Sasuke and Orochimaru could hear Mebuki and Kizashi berating Sakura on the fact they didn’t learn the news first.

"She'll have to deal with them, they're her tribe. We had good reasons.” Sasuke answered, seemingly unbothered by the sounds of his enraged inlaws. "You know I just didn't want to make the news a surprise to you due to... everything."

Orochimaru sighed with a smile, allowing themselves a second of proud arrogance that they had raised Sasuke quite well. As well a deeply traumatized, orphaned teenager could be raised. They sipped the soda, grimacing at how overly sweet it was.

"I'm happy for you, Sasuke." They looked at the boy and put a hand on his shoulder. "Even if it doesn't seem like it.”

"I know." He smiled awkwardly. He was still not used to physical touch from anyone, but his wife. Sakura just seemed a weird exception from most of his weird societal deficiencies. Well, she and Naruto.

Both Mebuki and Kizashi stormed out of the room, glancing daggers at Orochimaru. Sakura followed, only sheepishly smiling at her husband.

"At least you only have me to deal with." Orochimaru chuckled, as they looked at Sasuke.

They tried to play their feelings off as a joke but didn't succeed much. The tin can crumpled slightly under their fingers.

“I take it, he keeps acting like an idiot?" Tilted his head Sasuke, noticing the forced nonchalance.

"Let's not talk about that, please."

"He's no stranger to me either. I want to know." He sighed. "Sakura says he quit not too long ago..."

"Yeah." They nodded."As far as I know, he's basically out of work now. So much for all the talk about the need for a doctor at the orphanage..."

"Does he even visit?" Sasuke frowned.

"He still comes once a week and takes Log somewhere fun. We don't talk outside of that arrangement. And by that I mean I refuse to talk to him." They grimaced as the girls laughed again as their husbands approached the group. Some leaned forward, kissing their wives on the forehead or temple, and some hugged. Sasuke felt a squeeze on his shoulder.

"It's been six months, right? And things are not moving in any direction, as it seems." Sasuke got their attention again.

"I guess. He's been acting weird lately, but it doesn't mean much to me anymore.” They set the empty can on the table. "I don't know where to throw it, is that okay if I leave it here?"

"We'll clean it up, no big deal." Sasuke waved his only hand, "Can you elaborate on the weirdness?"

"This is not the best place or time for such talk." Orochimaru turned away from the party completely, deciding not to annoy themselves any further, and crossed their arms, "Recently he's just been nagging me about allowing Log to stay at their place. All the while refusing to speak about the divorce and figuring out the visitation times. He's dragging this whole process out, even though he started it. He won't even allow my lawyer to go through his documents... Guess he's just scared I'd take sole custody, which I never even intended."

“I don't think this is about custody at all,” Sasuke mumbled.

��Well if he's trying to win me over by being annoying, he's not doing a good job.”

"Why not allow him to take Log for a couple of days anyway?" Sasuke shrugged. "From what I know, he's a great dad."

"Yeah, but he lives with Urushi, and from the rumors that reach me from the orphanage, they haven't done anything, but drink and go clubbing since Kabuto packed up his things and left our...I mean my house. I refuse to put my child in these conditions."

"I understand." Nodded Sasuke.

Orochimaru glanced nervously at their watch. They were beginning to notice people's slanted glances at themselves a little more than usual. Their sour face stood out a little too much amid everyone's joy.

"I have to go." They muttered, "Log is home all alone, and... I don't want to spoil your party."

"You're not gonna spoil anything." Sasuke looked around, causing several pairs of eyes to immediately turn away from Orochimaru. "This is an important moment in my life. I couldn't imagine not sharing it with my parent."

Orochimaru smiled as they looked into Sasuke's eyes. When did he become so tall and grown up? He was almost half a head taller than they were now, if not more. They couldn’t fully comprehend how he'd once been a small, malnourished boy who lunged at their cooking like a hungry animal. They were never good at cooking. Even now that they have gotten better at it, Log still refuses to eat almost everything they make. Sasuke was just an unfortunate little thing when they decided to take him in and now, there he was, with his own house and a family, still standoffish as ever, but so grown up and matured.

"I'm not your parent, I'm your guardian. You have a real family."

"Oh, come on." Sasuke waved his hand. "We both know that Itachi can hate you all he wants, but he was a juvenile delinquent and that's why he lost custody of me. You, on the other hand, at least tried to give me a good life and continue to help to this day. You are as much family to me as he is.”

They looked away a little embarrassed, hiding a smile.

"Thank you. But I still need to get home. I'm scared Log will freak out. There was a storm on the forecast." They tucked a strand of hair behind their ear.

"Okay." Sasuke nodded. "Sakura really wanted to give you some food to go, so…"

Orochimaru nodded and headed for the exit. “I'll wait at the porch.”

They saw no point in saying goodbye to anyone. No one but Sasuke and Sakura even said hello to them. However, the click of their heels before they stepped out onto the porch let everyone know that they were leaving.

Orochimaru took out a cigarette and lit it a little further away from the entrance. They'd given up cigarettes completely during the pregnancy and after Log was born, but lately... They've been craving a cigarette. Still, they never smoked in the car or at home, not wanting their son to inhale the smoke or smell, but smoking near the gas station on their way home or near a grocery store was for now their favorite part of the day by a long shot.

Orochimaru looked at the sky. Behind the painfully similar houses in this painfully plain neighborhood, all painted in cheery pastel colors, the gray, cloudy sky seemed even gloomier.

They sighed, remembering how they and Kabuto used to sit together in the pillow house with Log, with a flashlight and a book while a storm raged outside the window.

Log's fear of thunder was a surprising development for the family. He had been born in such weather that it seemed he shouldn't have been afraid of thunder. They even had a blackout in the middle of labor, the storm was so vicious they had to deliver a child in the candlelight. Yet, it was nonetheless endearing to help him through his fear. Something about being the source of comfort for their little guy was endlessly heartwarming.

They sighed, walked over to their car, pulled out an ashtray, and tossed the cigarette bud in it after extinguishing it. They wouldn’t litter at their son’s house.

"Ah, there you are! " Sakura materialized behind them, holding several bags. "I've packed you some snacks to go! There's soda, chips, two containers of mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, fried sausages, pork chops, salad..."

"Sakura, how much do you think me and Log are eating?" Orochimaru laughed.

"Don't interrupt me! "Sakura exhaled loudly through her nostrils. Orochimaru saw Sasuke behind her back, visually signaling them not to argue. "So, there's also, uh..."

"Yogurts." Sasuke helped her.

"Yes! Yogurt. My mom got me a yogurt maker and thought maybe Log would like it. He doesn't have a lactose problem, does he?"

"No, he likes yogurt." Orochimaru smiled.

"Great! " Sakura cheered. "There's also crackers and a couple of pieces of cake. Mom brought so much food, I didn't know what to do with it. I've done a lot of cooking myself...at least take this and eat it with Log, I know you don't like cooking. I’d feel better if you ended up throwing it away, rather than me, 'cause, you know, I see mom so rarely and I adore her cooking…"

"Thank you, honey." They took the bags from her hands and stacked them on the passenger seat after turning around and hugging her. "Congratulations again. I can't wait to see you as a mother, Sakura, I think you'll fit the role very well.”

"Thanks! " She laughed, taking a step back from them and folding her palms together, "I'm so glad we moved closer to you now. My parents definitely won't be moving out of their backwaters any time soon, and I'm so glad I can at least consult with you during the pregnancy."

"Honey, call and text me with anything you have, I know how much pregnancy fuels paranoia, and I'll always help you with anything."

Sakura looked at them, got some air into her chest, and threw herself at them, folding her hands around their shoulders again. Orochimaru smiled as they hugged her, catching Sasuke's pleased look.

"I'm so glad you and I have found common ground." She sighed and pulled away. "The beginning of our relationship was a disaster. "

"You two were just too young," Orochimaru laughed. "Right, Sasuke? Who brings a bride into the house at 16, huh?"

"We didn't get married at 16, didn’t we?" Sasuke rolled his eyes.

"I can see why you were so skeptical of me back then." Sakura turned to Sasuke, "We were… young."

“Well.” Orochimaru walked to the driver's door. “That was a temporary flaw.”

The drive from the Uchichas' house took less than ten minutes. Orochimaru tried to concentrate on the road, but somehow, their thoughts kept returning to tonight's party. How sad Sakura looked the night before when they admitted that they couldn't look at the pictures of their wedding anymore. How Sasuke jokingly promised to "talk to Kabuto with his fists" if he didn't come to his senses and act like a normal father. How Sasuke and Sakura worried about their journey home and asked them to text them as soon as they arrived. They knew they started showing more and more obvious signs. They knew people could see the weight of their situation affecting them.

Their thoughts, one way or another, came down to Kabuto.

All the narrow streets with cute shops they passed held so many memories. The bakery where Kabuto always ordered cakes for their son's birthday. The café where they went for coffee every Sunday, even before their child was born. They couldn’t help, but get choked up, thinking how a few years later, hot chocolate and éclairs have been added to their usual Sunday order. They shook their head, trying once again to think only of the road.

The yellow leaves falling from the trees were sticking to the windshield and getting stuck in the. Who thought planting so many trees was a good idea?

"How dare they not ask you in advance." Kabuto's voice sounded in their head. They must have repeated that dialog a thousand times. For some reason, the medic liked trees.

Suddenly, something black ran out into the road. Orochimaru hit the brakes, holding their breath in surprise. They jumped out of the door, walking forward to see what was it they almost hit. There was a very scared black kitten sitting a few centimeters away from the car.

"Why did you run out into the road, you silly?" They picked up the kitten and moved it to the lawn next to the sidewalk. As they approached the car, a drop of water hit them on the nose. They sighed.

The rest of the way was much calmer. However, there was still this stupid pain in her ribs they felt whenever they were in this part of town. This stupid longing for what once was ordinary. By the time they pulled into the parking lot next to the house, it was pouring.

They didn't feel like going to meet their child while they were still shaken up. They exhaled and leaned back in the driver's seat, trying to push themselves to relax.

They didn't even want to look in the direction of their house. They remembered how much happiness and love the building had held and how much misery it had brought them now. They remembered how they and Kabuto had just bought this house, how they had made plans for renovations, and chosen wallpapers and flooring. How Sasuke, who was already living apart from them, had scoffed at the pastel purple colors that had been chosen for the interior of the house and how Kabuto had always argued with him for the same reason. How they had painted the walls in the nursery together, but Kabuto had been constantly distracted by hugging and kissing them, holding their still round belly. How they arranged the pictures, arguing in animated whispers about where their wedding photo would look best, while Log slept quietly in Kabuto's arms.

They hated going back to the house that smelled of dust and delivery food, remembering how they'd always eaten dinner together before, the three of them, and how Kabuto had enjoyed cooking and discussing the week's menu with them. Hated sleeping in a bed where the fucking memory foam mattress still couldn't seem to forget the outline of the other person. They hated how Log was constantly worried, now that his routine was disrupted, how he lost focus in school because of it, and the way all the teachers looked at them as they signed the paperwork to homeschool the boy. They wanted to scream when their sweet son whispered to them about his daddy and whether he would be living with them again for the first time. They hated that they couldn’t possibly tell him the answer.

They opened their eyes, only now realizing that tears had been streaming down their face all along. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and at the same moment, they slammed their fists exhaustively against the steering wheel.

How could he do this? How could he just leave everything behind? How could he leave the two of them?

They drew air into their chest, feeling like it was becoming harder to breathe. Their throat felt like it was being squeezed.

Kabuto had always been there for them. He was there for them when their arms stopped working because of a back injury. He spent hours doing exercises with them, patiently enduring their tantrums of fear and hopelessness. Had it not been for his persistence, they would probably still not have regained mobility in their fingers. He had been involved in the delivery of their child himself and was attending to their every need for months before the birth as if they were made of porcelain. He had stayed up nights and nights in a row, sitting with Log when he was sick. He had comforted them when Log had fallen face-first onto a piece of glass on a walk and then explained to Log that his scar wasn't scary when the kids on the playground started refusing to play with him.

He'd taken up so much space in their lives, and now it was as if there was no life left.

Now he was finding it difficult to maintain life with them. Now he suddenly needed "time apart" and "to feel young and alive again." At least that's what he said. Orochimaru was sure he just wanted to find someone younger and start a family with them.

They desperately wanted a second child, but nothing worked. The doctors just shrugged, there was nothing wrong with either of them, as it seemed. Orochimaru hadn't taken testosterone long enough to get pregnant, not to mention that they had never taken high doses. Their first child had even been conceived without stopping the use of hormones. Kabuto was also healthy. Nothing indicated what could have been the problem.

They were just unlucky.

At least according to the doctors.

Though Orochimaru certainly blamed themselves and only themselves. They were born with a defect and only exacerbated their condition with hormones.

Kabuto denied it, but how could he deny the obvious?

They hadn't been able to get pregnant for a year before Kabuto left.

Not counting a few miscarriages, of course. Most of them, very early. Except for the last one.

It ruined them both altogether, after which they decided to stop trying. For their good.

Sasuke had called specifically, warning them about the nature of their party tonight. He knew they were still sore about the topic, and even Sakura agreed with his decision to warn Orochimaru. Still, they had come after all. Decided to be with their child at such an important moment, even though it ended up as Sasuke thought it would. With a meltdown in the car.

They were wiping their face from tears when suddenly they heard a quiet banging on the car door. They turned their head sharply, seeing a yellow child's umbrella outside the window. Immediately they opened the door.

"Log? Why are you outside?" They asked fearfully.

The boy stood there, sniffling, tears streaming down his face. He was in his favorite blue dinosaur pajamas and rubber boots, holding tightly to the handle of his umbrella. Outside, lightning flashed and thunder rumbled.

The boy couldn't squeeze out a word, clutching the umbrella even tighter in his hands as thunder rumbled behind him.

Orochimaru jumped out of the car and scooped the child into their arms. Quickly grabbing the bags from the passenger seat, they slammed the car door shut and pressed the button on the keys, setting the car on alarm.

They practically ran into the house, dropping the packages on the floor at the entrance as they went and setting the crying child on the floor.

"Honey, why did you go out in the rain? Were you so afraid of the storm?" They began to talk, wiping tears from Log's chubby cheeks. He just shook his head.

"I was afraid..." The boy was still choking back tears. "For you."

Orochimaru sighed and sat down on the floor in front of the boy. Log squelched his nose and wiped his tears with his hands, clearly scared out of his mind, struggling to cope with his emotions. They reached forward with their hands.

"Come here, sweetheart." They smiled, the way they only smiled at their son. Log was always easily reassured by their soft, friendly smiles. The boy took a step forward and fell into their arms, and they scooped him up immediately. Log buried his face in their wet coat, gripping the fabric tightly with his hands, and they placed their palms on his hair, gently stroking the blond strands. "It's okay, baby, it's okay. Mommy's here for you now. Sorry it took me so long, I'm just a little tired.”

"Have you been crying?" The boy asked, snuggling against their chest as they pulled off his rubber boots.

"No, what are you, I just... "Their gaze met their son's. They realized they didn't want to lie to him anymore. "Yes. I was crying."

"Why?" Log sniffed.

Orochimaru looked at their son, struggling to form an answer. They’d prefer not to answer at all.

In general, Log was difficult to talk to. Long before he and Kabuto broke up when they were still together but already were visibly growing apart, Log had begun to withdraw into himself. Less talking, less playing, less socializing with the kids. But after they broke up, something in him finally broke. One-word sentences and a distant expression became the norm. His therapist argued that it should have passed with time, that he'd just taken the breakup to heart…

It's been half a year. Just recently, he had started smiling again, talking to other children on walks, clapping his hands, and jumping up and down when he was happy. Barely so, but still, it was progress. But Kabuto just had to ruin it, to ask to visit him more and disturb his routine. Orochimaru could not say no. But they could see that their son had begun to regress. The mood swings and unreasonable hopes for his father's return were not good for him.

It was just painful.

"Is it because of Daddy?" The boy asked them quietly.

"Yeah." Orochimaru sighed, mentally berating themselves for allowing themselves to act like that in front of a child. His and Kabuto's problems weren't about their son. Shouldn't have been his burden. They'd tried so hard to keep him from the bitterness of realizing their family was crumbling... but they couldn't.

Log got to his feet, stepping back, giving Orochimaru a strangely thoughtful look.

"I miss daddy, too."

Orochimaru swallowed the lump in their throat and averted their gaze. They got to their feet, pulling off their high-heeled shoes. Log looked at them attentively. They couldn’t bear talking about his father. Not to him at least.

"Aunt Sakura sent over a lot of goodies," They spoke up, picking up the bags, and putting on a cheerful appearance again. "What do you want for dinner? There's mashed potatoes, mac and cheese..."

"Is it my fault Daddy's not coming back?" Log suddenly asked.

Orochimaru froze with the bags in their hands. The boy looked at them with his childishly sincere big eyes, now filled with a sadness that was so inappropriate for his sweet face. They walked past him, putting the bags on the table. They had to be silent for a second, gathering their thoughts so they wouldn't just start crying in front of him again. He shouldn't feel this way. No child deserves this.

"No, honey. Daddy loves you. He loves you very much." They saw the boy look at them with a silent question in his eyes.

Why.

"It's just..." They pulled out a container of sausage. "Daddy doesn't love me anymore. He wants to try living without me around. That's why he doesn't come often."

Tears treacherously rolled down their cheeks. Log immediately ran to them, hugging their legs. He just couldn't reach any higher. They reached lower, picking him up in their arms and kissing his cheek, smiling sadly.

"It happens." They began. "Adults are very stupid and rarely know what they want. Your dad thought he was happy, but he realized he wasn't. Now Daddy looks for happiness in other people and other things. But you, honey, will always be his happiness, as you'll always be mine too."

"Why aren't you his happiness anymore? " Log tried to repeat the gesture that Orochimaru was making, awkwardly brushing the tears away from their cheeks, causing them to start smiling.

"I don't fully know myself. I'm not sure your dad knows the answer either. He just feels that way." Orochimaru sighed and put Log down on the ground. They looked at the bags. "Shall we have cake for dinner tonight?"

"Yes!" The boy was immediately enthusiastic.

"Great, it's decided! " Orochimaru clapped their hands. ”Now you and I are going to wash up, get changed, and go watch Bluey and eat cake, right?"

Log started jumping in place from excitement, upon hearing that he was also going to be allowed to watch TV while he ate. That was normally strictly forbidden.

"Well, go to the bathroom and wash your hands and face, I'll get you some clean pajamas and come over, okay?"

The boy nodded cheerfully and ran to the bathroom.

"Don't run! You'll slip!" Orochimaru shouted back at him and sighed.

They looked at their reflection in the mirror, hanging at the entrance of the house, not that far from the kitchen, and shook their head.

They should also wash their face.

[greatideas-badwriter]

SasuSaku: Sacrificed To The Banished Prince Ch. 14

Sasuke shared a look with his uncle at dinner that night. Sakura had refused every meal for the past two and a half days, not to mention every visitor. He’d only seen her for moments after she first woke from her coma, so he couldn’t positively say if whatever was wrong was from before her family visited. 

The king had approached him after lunch, stating he’d forced the pink-haired woman to join him for tea and that something was obviously severely upsetting her. That look he shared with the man just now was him confirming the notion. The woman lying upstairs in that dark room was even more closed off than when he first met her. 

‘She really hates me for what happened. I can’t even get her to face my direction,’ Sasuke poked at the meat on his plate, not having much of an appetite. He was desperate to know what happened to her while she was kidnapped because he couldn’t try to mend their relationship without the details, but the few moments in her presence earlier were enough to confirm he wouldn’t be receiving anything. 

“Sakura has always been a quiet and sensitive girl. I’m sure she’ll be back to normal in a few days time,” Kizashi offered, his two children making short sounds of agreement. They obviously picked up on the serious aura of the room and were trying, and failing, to remedy it. 

Itachi tried to help their efforts, “She asked for her youngest sister, yes? Would a visit from Lady Hana cheer her up?” The Haruno family shared glances before Kizashi lowered his head, “I told Sakura that Hana has a fever, but the truth is that she chose not to come on her own.” Sasuke’s eyes lifted from his meal to the speaking man, who added, “She said she wishes not to see her eldest sister.” 

Hihara added when no one said anything, “Hana rarely asks for anything and is well-behaved, so we didn’t attempt to force her.” The green-eyed man locked gazes with Sasuke, and a highly amused glint arose that confused the prince. 

“Perhaps the stress of marrying into the royal family is too much for my big sister to bear,” Haruka said in an obviously faux-considerate tone. She batted her eyelashes at the prince, “Since I care so much for her, I’d be willing to take her place so she can properly rest and await a more leisurely proposal of marriage.” 

That’s when Sasuke realized what the bratty girl wanted. It was to steal her sister’s position as his fiance. Disgust met his tongue. 

Madara said, “Well, that’s definitely something we can-” “Absolutely not,” the second prince bit, eyes narrowing on a surprised Haruka. Everyone’s eyes turned onto him, but he didn’t falter. Frowning, he looked around to give each person a moment of eye contact before looking back down to his plate and speaking with finality, “I’ll hear nothing else of exchanging my fiance.” 

‘She’s not a sword that you send off to a blacksmith to be replaced with stronger metal. She’s a human being. A compassionate one that I don’t intend to leave in this traumatized state.’ He took a bite of the meat before the sound of the others returning to their meals met his ears. A tiny bit of his stoic facade slipped, his shoulders threatening to sag, ‘It’s my fault she’s hurting right now, so I have to be the one to make things better. After that, if she wishes to annul this engagement, then I’ll allow it.’ 

After the meal, Sasuke went for a walk around the estate, a bottle of whiskey in hand to help ease the tension in his mind. After some time alone, he heard someone approaching and turned to see Hihara, who raised a hand in greeting. 

The prince could’ve cursed, ‘This brat has to know I don’t like him, yet here he is, seeking me out in his free time.’ 

Hihara was breathless when he finally caught up, smiling sheepishly, “My Lord, you’re quite the fast walker.” 

“Hn,” Sasuke returned. 

For a while, they walked in silence before the Haruno man seemed to reach his threshold for tension. He gestured toward the bottle, “May I?” The prince handed it over, accepting it back once he’d taken a drink. Hihara sighed, looking around the grounds warmly, “This reminds me of my childhood. Sakura used to take me for walks when I was very young.” 

Sasuke spared him a glance while taking a sip of whiskey. 

He seemed to take that as encouragement because he continued, “Would you like to learn more about your fiance? I can tell you all her favorite things, the things she hates, and even-” “Can you tell me about your relationship with her?” 

Hihara’s face paled, making Sasuke want to punch him, “What?” 

“Better yet, tell me about any of your family’s relationship with her,” he couldn’t stop himself from half-drunkenly unloading on the nineteen-year-old, “Tell me where each of her scars came from. Tell me why she wasn’t introduced to the public at sixteen. Tell me why your younger sister thinks she deserves better treatment than Sakura.” 

“Well, that’s because she’s an illegitimate-” “Does a child being born out of wedlock mean that it’s acceptable to abuse and neglect them? At what point did she choose this life? Did she reach out from beyond this realm to create the means necessary for her conception?” 

Hihara stopped walking, so Sasuke did, too. The men stared one another down, the redhead finally dropping the friendly facade. Moments later, Sasuke handed over the bottle of whiskey but leaned in to threaten the Haruno man, “You and your family will not contact her outside of formalities after the wedding, understood?” 

The redhead looked stunned. 

After holding his glare for a minute, Sasuke rolled his eyes and returned to walking, though back in the direction they’d come. 

When he was further away, Hihara called after him, “You’re too late!” When the prince turned to figure out what he meant, he saw the man had turned and begun walking the other way. 

Groaning with irritation, he ran a hand through his hair, ‘If a hundred years pass before I see these Haruno animals again, it’ll be too soon.’ 

The next day, Sakura finally began to accept meals, though she took them in her bedroom. Two days later, she finally came out from her seclusion, if only to tell the prince that she no longer wished to be at the castle anymore. 

‘Even The Curse can’t get her to talk,’ Sasuke thought while eyeing his fiance. They were nearly back to the manor, and neither had said a word the entire carriage ride. 

Sasuke recalled how beautiful Sakura had looked the night of their engagement party. Her emerald-colored eyes had sparkled with emotion. Her hair had flowed beautifully with curls down her back and over her shoulders. If he were a weaker man, he’d have run his fingers through it at least once. 

‘She’d been so full of life,’ he frowned, remembering how confidently she’d helped him escape the ballroom so he could go through the shift without on-lookers. ‘Now she barely seems present.’ 

Sakura’s eyes were directed out the window, though they were dull and sad. Her lips were in a thin line as though she’d been pondering something very seriously for hours. It was dark under her eyes, and Sasuke realized that she hadn’t been sleeping well despite being locked in a bedroom for a week. 

The prince’s eyes left his fiance’s face to land on her hands, only to narrow. She wasn’t wearing the engagement ring. He didn’t dare ask her where it was because he felt one wrong word would send the woman spiraling further.

‘I just hope that coming back to the manor was the correct decision,’ Sasuke thought, averting his gaze out his own window, ‘I’m beginning to question if she still wants to proceed with the plan.’ As selfish as it was to think about such a thing, he couldn’t help it. That said, she hadn’t spoken a word about leaving, so he tried to convince himself not to dwell on the idea. 

Sasuke didn’t know what else he’d do if returning to the Winterlands didn’t comfort Sakura in some way. He was too awkward to approach her with the intention of talking things out and didn’t want to pressure her if the issue she was facing was indeed serious. He also didn’t want to just let her deal with it alone because she’d done so much to help him since they met. She deserved to have someone worry about her like she does him, and he’d unintentionally become that person. 

That night, Akuma did what he’d done the past few days, and that was to lay silently beside his sacrifice while she slept. He watched as she groaned and turned onto her side, facing him with a disturbed expression tugging at her brow. ‘She’s as restless as ever.’ For her sake, even though he wouldn’t admit it, the demon gave up trying to get her to talk. ‘It’s been days. I’ve grown tired of this confusion.’ 

As if on some sort of cue, Sakura’s eyes shot open, filled with fearful tears as she slowly comprehended that whatever horror she’d been experiencing was simply a dream. 

Akuma searched her pale face, leaning closer despite her obviously becoming skittish, “Pet, you’re plagued with nightmares.”

She tried to scoot away, but he grabbed her hands and held them tightly. His brow furrowed when real terror met her face because she’d never looked at him like that. He still didn’t let go, though. No, he wordlessly pondered what to say because he’d never tried to comfort a human before, nor had he wanted to. This game of waiting for her to return to her shy and blushing form had grown tedious, so he had no choice.

Soon, he said, “You reek of fear. Have you abandoned trust in your master?” 

Sakura’s chin quivered, and she averted her gaze to his chest. Finally, she spoke, though quietly, “I’m not…I-I’m just….” She closed her eyes, took a calming breath, and asked quickly as though worried she’d lose the courage to say the words, “You said you wanted to make me yours before.” 

‘Of all the things to bring up, that’s what she wants to talk about?’ Akuma made an affirming sound. 

She kept her eyes closed. She hesitated momentarily before asking in a much weaker voice, “I-I’ve recently discovered what you meant by that.” In this type of situation, the demon would expect at least a slight blush on her cheeks, but there was none. Green eyes slowly opened to search his face as Sakura asked, “Why would you want to do such a thing to me?” 

‘She seems genuine,’ Akuma was beyond confused. He thought that sex was something normal between those attracted to one another, and in his case, sometimes even when only one was interested. He was a demon, after all, and they don’t follow human rules most of the time. 

Akuma’s fingers loosened so he could interlace them with hers, and he smirked, deciding to answer honestly, “The way you tremble and blush. I wish to feel it happen instead of just see.” His eyes dropped to her lips, narrowing as he imagined their taste, “I want to make it so you can’t control your body or voice. I want a complete surrender so I can devour every piece of you.” 

Tears flooded Sakura’s eyes, dripping quickly down and taking the demon by surprise. He opened his mouth to ask why, only for the woman to tear her hands away, covering her face and scooting away, “You’re a monster.” 

For some reason, The Curse’s mouth went dry at those words. Anger arose at her disrespect, but it wasn’t alone. An unfamiliar emotion joined it, one that stopped Akuma from shouting or hitting the woman. ‘I thought…. I thought she saw me as a person all this time, didn’t I?’ He got out of bed, staring at the sobbing young lady with wide red eyes, ‘But I was wrong. She’s just like everyone else. All she sees when she looks at me is a demon.’ 

A fiery sensation flooded Akuma’s chest, and he left the room, slamming the door behind him. If he didn’t get far away from Sakura, he’d end up murdering her with his bare hands. 

[pinkhairedlily]

tadaima

sharing my piece for @sasusakubpzine which i'm so grateful to have been selected for. we are holding leftover sales so get a copy now if you haven't yet! 🛒-> https://t.co/DM3t6gqkDo

“Tadaima!”

Sasuke heard this greeting many times when they were kids. After classes, after missions, after errands. Everyone had families to come home to. Only Sakura had this privilege in their team, her parents still alive, but never once did he catch her uttering it.

He envied her regardless. However casual and mundane the word was to her, he craved to use it. Maybe letters strung together could bring back his dead.

But it was Sakura, his anchor after the war, who made it possible again. “Tadaima.”

And today, he’ll hear her say it to her family.

Only that, she isn’t herself. He sees her plant a longer kiss on Sarada’s forehead and feels her squeeze his arm a little tighter, signs of her anxiety bursting to the brim.

“We can go another time.”

Sakura shakes her head and grins her way out of his silent prodding. “Let’s take advantage of this while we can. A complete family. I can show them that.”

A complete family. Sasuke always thought Sakura had it easy, but not all families mean home.

x x x

Sasuke hears the Harunos before he sees them. Their noise is as loud as their eclectic hair styles and colors, but they quiet down when they register their arrival. The grand entrance ends on a neutral note when Sakura beckons him to the empty seats beside her parents at the center table. Hot seats. 

Kizashi and Mebuki manage lukewarm nods towards the three of them. Not so much as a kiss or hug for Sakura or an awed expression for Sarada inside her baby wrap. Sasuke doesn’t know which of the two irks him more.

The luncheon goes well for the first half. Everyone keeps to their little conversations. The meat is a little too hard and the broth a little too rich, but nothing out of ordinary. Perhaps it’s the food coma that makes some cousins plant their attention on them.

“Did you learn love potions at that ninja academy?” Eyeliner Guy asks. “Couldn’t think of any other way.”

Sakura smiles. “No, but I'm an expert with poisons.”

The death threat flies over their heads. 

“You probably baby-trapped him, no?” Thick Lipstick side-eyes him. “What a catch.”

Sasuke tries to smile, if only for his wife’s sake, but his annoyance seeps through his reply. “Great theories, but we actually met at the academy, fell in love later on, and got married. Contrary to what you think, Sakura is quite the catch.” He takes a sip of his now-cold tea. “I’m sure you’ll find someone in your forties. Don’t lose hope.”

Sakura almost chokes on her dango. “She’s in her twenties, Sasuke,” she chastises under her breath.

“Such a shame we didn’t see your marriage registry. We tried to find it, you know,” Green Mohawk smacks his lips, “for fun.”

“We got married outside the village, but we appreciate your effort.” He hopes his cold tone diffuses their burning curiosity, bordering on assault.

Some old people gravitate towards their seats upon hearing this. “We heard you came from traveling.”

“Ah, yes, the Land of Flowers was so beautiful.” Sakura tries to turn the conversation light, but no one takes her bait.

“Wasn’t that too dangerous during your pregnancy?” Paper Fan Grandma asks.

“You should’ve been more careful, Sakura,” Mebuki chastises, “And you should’ve known better, boy.”

“It’s Sasuke,” Sakura butts in, “And Mom, I’m a doctor. I can take care of myself.”

Mebuki not remembering his name doesn’t bother him as much as her occupation escaping them.

“So what’s your work, Sasuke?” Cigarette Smoking Uncle asks.

Sasuke has half a mind to use amaterasu on the nicotine stick. “I have duties beyond the borders of the village.”

“Ah, you’re always traveling then?” Paper Fan Grandma loves to gasp a lot.

“You could put it like that.”

“And you leave her? With a baby?”

“Sakura is very important in the village. She’s the hospital director.”

The three cousins sneer loudly at this while the older group does not feign their disappointment and tut-tuts. Sakura’s grip on his thigh tightens.

“This is why I keep telling her to focus on being a housewife,” Mebuki tells her husband as if Sakura is not in front of them. “The horrors of being a single mom! Did you hear what happened to Ayako? In debt and cheated on!”

Sakura is a strong woman. 

She never backs out from a fight or cowers in fear. She faces all her battles head-on. She has grown out of the shells of her childhood and adolescence and into these beautiful myriad of forms: a healer, a soldier, a mother, a wife.

“I can balance my work —” 

But this Sakura’s voice wavers and he sees how one of Konoha’s pillars regresses into an insecure girl who only wants her family to see her, know her, and accept her. 

Kizashi scoffs. “Sakura, do you know how hard it was to raise you? Your mother and I lost count of the sleepless nights we had because you wanted to become a ninja.”

Green Mohawk adds, “Bad decision. You’re lucky you came back in one piece.” He throws an apologetic look at Sasuke’s lost arm. 

Arthritic Grandpa points his cane at Sarada. “A child with two nin parents? Preposterous. Ninjas don’t grow well. They become orphans.”

Sakura stiffens beside Sasuke. He offers her his hand which she clasps in support, but really, it was just to stop her from springing when he says his piece, “Then I’m glad Sakura grew up okay despite being related to you. Clearly, you didn’t know her capabilities– or you only pretended to.”

A look of shock passes through their faces. Sarada takes the momentary silence to wiggle out of her baby wrap and onto Sakura’s lap. She squeezes her Mama’s cheeks, a gentle gesture of, Don’t worry Mama. I love you.

The manager of the restaurant also swoops into the awkward exchange by bringing the bill and a blank paper. “It’s a pleasure to have you dine with us, Dr. Uchiha. You saved my sister in an invasion once, but you probably don’t remember it anymore.”

Sasuke silently thanks the man for reminding Sakura what she is, what she has become. 

Sakura smiles. Finding her footing, she quickly gives her autograph “for display” and nods to Sasuke. At this cue, he gives the manager a wad of cash and ushers his family out of the restaurant without so much of a goodbye to anyone else.

x x x

"I think I made a good impression." Sasuke breaks the silence as they enter their home. 

Sakura's shoulders — broad, strong, dependable — tremble. But it's only laughter she can't contain. 

"You sure did." A soft grumble passes between them and she erupts in louder chuckles. "Can't believe I paid for food I haven't eaten. I'm so hungry."

As they enter the kitchen, his shoulders rub hers, another language meant to hold her hand. "Great timing then." 

“Okaerinasai!” Kakashi, Iruka, and Yamato, caliber soldiers, rightfully feared, don brightly-patterned aprons as they rambunctiously navigate a foreign space. Clutter decorates the countertops, and different, appetizing smells permeate the corners. 

It smells like home.

Sasuke watches Sakura’s face light up at the chaotic sight. 

Sarada is quickly lifted off Sasuke's embrace into the cradle made by three pairs of arms, and her greeting involves biting the cheeks of her uncles — her attempt at a kiss.

"No fair, Yamato. Don't turn your cheeks into wood!" Iruka bursts out. "It's painful for Sara— ow!" 

"You forget she's Sakura's daughter." Yamato massages the flushed red side of his cheek where thick gums and milk teeth had clamped down hard.

Kakashi heeds fair warnings. "Now Sara-chan, why don't I kiss you instead?" But the toddler has other plans as stubby fingers pull down his mask.

“Now don’t hog my goddaughter like that.” The three house-nins part for Tsunade whose arms are already open for Sakura. “How’s my best student?”

Where no one touched her earlier, here she is received. In laughter, in pats, in hugs. Casual, mundane things that tell of love.  

It feels like home.

“I didn’t invite you.” Sasuke notices the two empty sake bottles on the sink. “But I see you’ve already made yourself welcome.” 

“Kakashi said this is my homecoming. Besides, you rarely play host.” Tsunade shrugs, her  innocence quickly morphing into slyness. “Why don’t we play cards?”

Another bottle to the mix and a relocation to the patio later, the fifth hokage finds herself losing with an expectant audience.

"Sakura, sit next to your shishou.”

"Sakura, no." 

A student still obeys her master, and like clockwork, a gust of wind loosens her top. Sasuke grimaces at the distraction.

"Aha. I win!" Tsunade puts down her hand. "See, Sakura, you're always my lucky charm."

“Don’t tell me you didn’t see that coming?” Iruka jests.

“I recommend Icha-Icha’s Education Against Seduction.” Kakashi pulls a book out of his apron to give to his former student, but Yamato’s the first one to flip through the pages.

Annoyed, Sasuke turns to a half-flustered, half-laughing Sakura. “She cheated. Again. How did she even become your teacher?”

“How did you even become her husband?” Tsunade rolls her eyes. “I bet Orochimaru taught you love potions. Why would the most beautiful kunoichi even marry you?”

“She has the best chakra control,” Kakashi pipes, “I bet Sakura can beat your genjutsu now.”

“Monstrous strength for a doctor.” A specific memory sends shivers to Yamato’s spine. “Don’t let her fix your bones while conscious.”

A consensus runs through the group which stops Sakura’s laughter. “Are these supposed to be compliments? Why do I feel offended?” 

Inside her crib, Sarada giggles. Iruka leans down to her and whispers in acquiescence, “I know. She’s a loving mother too. You’re gonna grow up fine, Sara-chan.” 

Sasuke trains his sight on Sakura whose face is painted in happiness. There is nothing to prove, nothing to say, nothing to do. She is seen for what she is, all the sides and parts of her that make her her: a student, a doctor, a wife, a mother.

A loud bang interrupts the scene, followed by a powerful rush of chakra. 

"Good evening, constituents!" Clad in his hokage robes, Naruto commits to his ceremonious entrance. Only Sarada spares him attention with a delighted cooo-caaa. 

"Did you bring it?" Tsunade drawls over her words. Already too drunk to balance, she is leaning against Yamato, who looks like a still painting in front of the fire. 

Naruto presents another bottle of sake to the group with a flourish. "Of course, old woman!" Despite his desire to hold off on additional liquor, Sasuke accepts the gift.

x x x

The bottle, emptied after making several rounds in the group, now lies under Sakura's feet. The crowded bench trickled down to the three of them, the rest having already found abode on living room futons, limbs all splayed out and tangled like close friends under the warmth of the covers, with Sarada at the center of them all.

In the dark, Sakura's shoulders are hunched, free of the tension that hounded her this morning. The fading embers dance in her jade eyes.

"It had been a long time since we gathered like this." Her words trail smoke in the wintry air. "Too bad Sai had Yamanaka duties."

Naruto chuckles. "He missed a rare sighting of dancer Yamato."

"With deadpan expressions to boot."

Both of them turn to Sasuke at the same time and laughter spills out.

"No, I’m not drunk." Sasuke holds up his sole hand at the wordless prompting, but he puts it down quickly when his world starts spinning out of orbit. Yep, he’s drunk.

"You're no fun." Naruto sticks out his chin in defiance. "Why don't we play a game?" 

Sakura claps in agreement. She somehow salvaged a third of the wine's content from their teachers for their drinking game.

"Take a shot if you did this," Sakura grins too widely. "Never have I ever failed a subject in the academy."

The boys clink their glasses and drink. Alcohol tastes like water when you get used to it.

"What? Sasuke failed?" Sakura's pitch climbs a bit higher. 

It's an embarrassing admission, "I hated History." Sasuke wonders if his path of revenge would have taken a different trajectory if he had paid more attention. "Never have I ever failed a practical."

"What are these non-controversial questions?" Naruto snorts and empties his glass. Sakura smugly follows suit. "The know-it-all shows himself."

Sasuke shrugs, grateful to be spared from this round, because my god, I can't feel my legs. To be fair, he's doing a good job pretending he's fine. How is Naruto holding up so well? 

"Okay, last question, and I have to go home to Hinata." Naruto swirls the remaining contents of the bottle. Probably good for only two shots. 

"Hmm," Sasuke sees him rack his brain for more scandalous questions, but it's the one he picks that sears his insides. "Never have I ever fallen in love with a teammate while we were genin!"

“I hate you! That’s not how it works!”

“I’m too drunk to think of anything else!”

Sasuke swipes the bottle away from their reaching hands and swigs it into his mouth. He hopes it numbs down these butterflies and palpitations and somersaults that time traveled when he tried to touch her rosette strands as she scribbled furiously during History class.

"Sasuke-kun? You switched up the rules. You’re supposed to drink when it’s true.”

Sakura turns to Naruto, usually competitive, but has no protestations on this development.

“But it’s true.” The bottle goes round and round in his hand. “I liked Sakura back then,” he sighs his confession into the open, this secret no longer his own.

“No way.” 

“I wasn’t just as loud about it.” Sasuke takes another swig, forgetting it’s empty, and the bottle comes loose in his fingers. “It actually faded you know,” he adds a dash of nonchalance, but Sakura, as she always does, sees through him.

“It’s true, Sakura-chan,” Naruto echoes, “Or maybe his definition of like is ‘the only girl he can tolerate’.” That earns him a good old slap on the back of the head. 

They’re twelve again, struggling to be teammates, bickering at every conversation, and building bonds Sasuke thought he could fray.

This is family.

“Stop smiling.”

“I can’t stop.”

“You’re as annoying as you were then.”

x x x x

“What was the occasion?” The question hangs in the silence of midnight as she settles on her side of the bed. Sasuke adjusts his body to her presence, accommodating her curling limbs, like fitting two puzzle pieces.

“Nothing. I told them I missed them,” he lies. 

Sakura needs her family, that was the message. She needs her home.

His fingers intertwine with the strands he liked, strands he loves. Underneath his skin, he feels her let go of wakefulness, dreams already waiting to claim her.

A murmur, a prayer, as she leaves the day, “Tadaima.” 

FIN.

Thanks for reading!

AO3 | Twitter

[amnevitahwritesstuff]

Sakura’s past is just as dark as the rest of Team 7’s. They just don’t know it yet.

Fandom: Naruto

Pairing: N/A

Rating: Teen

Triggers: Implied Sexual Abuse

Chapters: 1, 3, 4, 5 (WIP)

[I posted this on AO3 years ago but am just now getting around to posting it here.]

AO3 Link

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Chapter Two: Of Teamwork and Empty Ramen Cups

Sakura didn’t end up going home that night.

There were far too many variables at play for Kakashi to feel safe sending the girl back to the very environment that had traumatized her. And so he gladly made up some bullshit excuse to her parents about an extended mission before letting Naruto drag her over to his apartment (with Sasuke following along claiming he was only coming to make sure Sakura didn’t have to put up with Naruto’s uncivilized company alone) for an impromptu sleepover. She couldn’t stay there forever, of course, but it would keep her safe and out of the way for what had to happen next.

Sakura hadn’t said much during her breakdown for him to go on, but Kakashi had some ideas. Though the most obvious assumption would be one of her parents, he had met Kizashi on more than one occasion and the man didn’t remind him anything of the pedophiles and rapists he’d dealt with (and often disposed of) in the past, and neither did Mebuki for that matter. They were far too supportive and trusting of their daughter and her profession to be abusing her. Most abusers chose to keep their victims close and isolated them from others so that they were far more easy to manipulate. Sakura’s parents on the other hand seemed more than happy to see her bring her friends and teammates home with her. No. It wasn’t her parents...probably. A relative maybe? A neighbor? No matter, he would find out.

And gods help whoever it was once he did.

•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•

Naruto found himself almost immediately regretting bringing his teammates over the moment they crossed his threshold. He scratched the back of his head when Sasuke gave his scattered dirty laundry and upturned empty ramen cups an unimpressed look. Sakura seemed to have an equally lukewarm response, her tears and worries long forgotten in the wake of seeing the state of Naruto’s kitchen. Some of his dishes looked like they hadn’t seen soap or water in months...maybe even years . She didn’t even want to chance a look in his refrigerator. Something told her there was probably something living in there.

“Do you ever clean?” Sasuke drolled.

Naruto glared at him and not so stealthily tried to kick a pile of underwear under his bed.

“I suppose we could clean up a bit…” Sakura began hesitantly. Though she was already well and truly exhausted (mentally and physically) after their training with Kakashi, she also wasn’t keen on spending the night on Naruto’s dirty underwear.

“Uhhh, yeah,” Naruto agreed, perhaps too eagerly. “We could do that.”

And that was how Team 7 found themselves scrubbing Naruto’s apartment down from top to bottom. Sasuke because he didn’t want to spend the night in a place that stank of processed ramen and old sweat, Sakura because she was desperate to postpone any awkward questions about her breakdown (...and also because of the processed ramen and old sweat), and Naruto, well, who was he to turn down free labor (and oh hey, had his floorboards always been that color?)? And so once the (many, many ) ramen containers had been tossed out and the dishes cleaned and the dirty laundry pushed into the closet (because, really, what else were they supposed to do with it?), the three ended their night piled onto Naruto’s bed, too exhausted to care about who slept where or who stole the blankets at night (it was Sakura).

It was the first night Sakura slept soundly in weeks.

[lesbiankoby]

you know what i already went and wrote a fucking. issekai fic i can finish the self indulgence roulette and attempt to write IC mokuton sakura au. the particular plot bunny i’m sitting on revolves mostly around oc-ish mebuki and kizashi playing out a pastiche of “the americans” though they’re a duo of ex orochimaru lackies (originating from like, hot water or something) that hit a child murder breaking point during orochimaru’s phase 2 “annoyed tenzou survived and he missed it” mokuton experiments and stole what they believed to be a “dud” off of him (baby sakura) before faking their deaths and settling down as civilian refugees in a village where nobody knows their faces and the professors shadow looms large enough orochimaru might have spies but he’d be hard pressed to take extreme action even if he did figure out two of his lab techs aren’t actually dead (konoha). fake married to real-ish married arc.

…inventing the pseudonym “haruno sakura” wholesale is just very funny to me.

by the time they shrugged and let her enter the shinobi academy (while they hope she’s absorbed enough from them to prioritize herself over a village, they’re hardly going to stop her from learning how to fight) they genuinely assumed the mokuton experiment had been a failure— when they first decanted her and bolted she was very sickly and there was a genuine fear she wouldn’t even make it, but she pulled through. sakura is aware of her ‘childhood infirmity’ but has bounced back admirably. maybe even more then admirably! come to think of it, it’s sort of funny she skated through the academy without a single major injury— but she’s a bit (a lot) silly, so that might be the result of her never pushing herself too far during taijutsu lessons. nobody really thought about it.

[falcons-florens]

Before I forget-

Kizashi, be careful if an anon signing off as a spider shows up in your inbox. He's the one who sent Scaramouche into a coma in the first place, and seems to be actively torturing him and the other two-,using Cyrille and Wanderer to get at Scara. It's a "torture triangle" as he calls it.

"...I'll have to tell Wanderer then. When I find Cyrille's house, I'm telling him so he knows."

[an-active-rabbit]

Kabukimono Blog Timeline

Old Blog Events

When he first appeared he met Cyrille de Fontaine, Rubedo, and then met his older brothers, Scaramouche and Wanderer. The three battled over the Electro Gnosis which Scaramouche had, resulting in Scaramouche giving Kabukimono the Gnosis after he lost to the two older puppets.

The puppet, homunculus, and void cat set off to reattach Kabukimono's right arm. After the journey, Kabukimono and Adi and Onyx went on their own way.

He then traveled for some time with Adi and met Hibiki and Ningyō Kizashi (@falcons-florens) in Shakkei Pavillion. After being corrupted by Tatarigami and sealing it, Adi brought the puppets to Liyue. Kabukimono made two swords and texted Wanderer who had then accepted him. Once done, Kabu-Orobashi abandoned Ningyō Kizashi at the Guili Plains and watched.

This Blog Events

[The Kabukimono is used to denote the exact replica of Kabukimono formed from Belial's memories. Kabukimono became Belial, and The Kabukimono was created to govern the body and handle more physical affairs while Belial gathers information, repairs the Ley Lines, and collects Electro Energy into himself in preparation for the inevitable war. They are the same in essence, just handling different aspects as the second Electro Archon. While that title is solely Belial's, both use it for convenience to hide the nature of Belial and The Kabukimono]

The Kabukimono is at Shakkei Pavillion after being exorcised, mourning the relationships that were broken by Kabu-Orobashi and generally not doing a lot. During this time, The Kabukimono made an outfit for himself...

After a battle with Kizashi, now a stranger, The Kabukimono has three scars on his chest. Some days later, the Archon made a domain.

After meeting Arataki Itto (1), The Kabukimono has befriended an Onikabuto that he named Sandābagu despite Itto suggesting the name "Red Berry Juice Super Hero Guy Cool Awesome Guy."

On anon recommendation, the Archon is now trying to recruit Yoimiya as a follower of the God of Transcience.

The puppet went to Liyue Harbor for Lantern Rite, where he shared a meal with Kitsune Saiguu and forged a weapon for her. After that, he drank until inebriated and wandered into the wild, where he ended up hugging a Ruin Guard. Then the Archon met Karasu the crow...

After making a kite, The Kabukimono went back to the Harbor and met Gaming. Once he shared a meal with the dancer, he went to the top of Mt. Tianheng to rest before returning to Inazuma to decorate his domain.

After a time, he became acquainted with Xaviero, son of Rhea. In a moment of sadness, the puppet made the decision to wear a kitsune mask around anyone who doesn't know his face. He then was invited to share tea with Lady Saiguu, preparing dim sum and fried tofu for the occasion. After this, he went to Dragonspine to find Scarlet Quartz and met Vicious Mimicry...

He was asked about curses by an anon and revealed that he cursed himself to always have the scars from when Kizashi punished him... Xaviero then appeared and answered The Kabukimono's questions when the Archon tried and failed to interrogate him.

On anon prompting, The Kabukimono went outside of his domain and reconnected with Rubedo via crimson crystalfly device, telling the homunculus about what happened with Kizashi. The next day, a Komaniya Express courier delivered a package sent by Rubedo containing a scrapbook of photos.

Reaching out again, The Kabukimono and Rubedo have agreed to meet at Ritou when the homunculus arrives.

<Here, mod has several threads happening at the same time that are being treated as unconnected yet equally canon to The Kabukimono's timeline of events. For convenience the crossover is in pink, the lore one will be color-coded blue, and all events with Rubedo will be in red to indicate that the events are one verse that will have little bearing on outside interactions regarding the interactions with the character themself.>

The Kabukimono escorted Xaviero to the outskirts of Sumeru, spying on him with two foxerfly constructs. He then appeared in Sumeru to stop Xaviero from using up his time and is aiding Adi in watching over the Rhean kids at the moment.

This plan fell through when Rubedo showed up at Tatarasuna, and the two walked around and discussed their future plans. They then journeyed to Enkanomiya, where the two explored a couple islands then confessed to each other after sharing a kiss. Afterwards, they talked to Argos at the Dainichi Mikoshi before returning to the surface for the night...

After a discussion, the group of powerful beings agreed to move closer to Sumeru City while hidden from sight by Belial's Electro.

The Kabukimono meets the Traveler, Lumine, when bringing snacks to Paimon and asks for potioneering advice... He then meets Arataki Itto (2) and makes an agreement to help those who haven't been helped by the Shogunate yet. Later, during the Tanabata Festival, Belial introduces his new self to Beelzebul and the two agree to work together to protect Inazuma when the time comes to fight.

An anon transported the Archon to another planet where he meets Boothill and asks for help getting home, as well as a snack.

[empressofthesunwriter]

Nothing is True

… Everything is permitted.

What is real?

What is not?

Is she just turning crazy or are other powers at work?

One thing is clear Kohana will get to the bottom of this and maybe change the whole Ninja-World at the same time.

S.I. Third Shinobi World War 

!!!!PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!!

The song we “hear” in this chapter is from Alt J called Something Good from the masterpiece of a game Life is Strange!

I recommend listening to it while reading the chapter.

Happy reading!

Chapter 9: Everything changes 

It was early morning.

A fresh breeze was entering Kohana's room from her half-open window.

The nine-year-old girl lies half awake-half asleep on the cover of her bed.

She heard from somewhere in the house a radio playing.

Probably Kizashi who listens to his music.

The song was good she had to admit.

Its melody was catchy.

Kohana hummed along to the tune, feeling a sense of comfort in the music.

“Something good

Oh, something good

Oh, something good

Oh, something good tonight

Will make me forget about you for now”

She slowly sat up and stretched her arms, feeling the warmth of the sun on her face.

As she looked out the window, she noticed a group of birds flying in formation. Mesmerized by their synchronized movements, Kohana wondered if they were communicating with each other.

The birds continued to fly in formation, their wings flapping in unison. The girl watched them until they disappeared from her sight.

“Get high

Hit the floor before you go

Matador

Estocada, you're my blood sport”

Deciding it was time to get out of bed she walked over to her window. Her simple pink nightgown swayed in the light breeze.

“But something good

Oh, something good

Oh, something good

Oh, something good tonight

Will make me forget about you for now”

She leaned out the window and took a deep breath of the fresh morning air.

“48 thousand seats

Bleats and roars for my memories of you

Now that I'm fully clean

The matador is no more and is dragged from view”

The sun was now fully risen, casting a warm glow over everything it touched.

Kohana felt grateful for this moment of peace and tranquillity before the hustle and bustle of the day began.

She closed her eyes and listened to the sounds around her: the lyrics of the song, the chirping of birds, the rustling of leaves in the wind, and in the distant talking of people.

“Get high

Hit the floor before you go

Matador

Estocada, you're my blood sport”

The moment felt like it could last forever, but Kohana knew that it wouldn't. She reluctantly let go of the window sill and turned to face her room.

“48 thousand seats

Bleats and roars for my memories of you

Now that I am clean

The matador is no more and is dragged from view”

The song ended as she looked at the mess of her room.

“But something good

Oh, something good

Oh, something good

Oh, something good tonight

Will make me forget about you for now”

Her new room.

It was still hard to grape that the Harunos had been moved to this little clan compound.

And that all because Kohana had awoken a Kekkai Genkai.

A few weeks ago as Minato-Sensei and the rest of her team had discovered her Eagle Vision, Kohana didn’t know what do to. Every ninja knows that if you awoke a new Kekkai Genkai you had to tell the Hokage.

Something she had missed on purpose. She didn’t want the world to know that Eagle-Vision had returned. The first and last one in her family who had this gift was her ancestor Haruno Sakuya.

A mysterious Miko, who was actually an assassin named Carina Auditore from a different world.

She still grappled long with all this and yes, she wanted to keep it as long as a secret as she could, till she could make more sense of it.

In the end, after she had been caught in the act of using it, she admitted to Minato-Sensei that she had awakened the Kekkai Genkai of her family.

Minato-Sensei had been understanding, but he had insisted that they inform the Hokage. Kohana had been nervous about it, but when she met with the Hokage, she found that he was also understanding.

Actually, he was more prepared than her.

Hokage-Sama had known Sakuya since she had been a close friend of his senseis the first and the second Hokage.

He had seen Eagle Vision in action when he was a young boy.

Also, Sakuya had prepared something for her family if one of them would someday wake Eagle Vision.

The diary and Hidden Blade that Kohana had already found were only a part. Sakuya had arranged that her family would be given clan status and a clan compound when a descendant would awake her Kekkai Genkai.

That her parents and her brother had been shocked was the understatement of the century.

From a normal ninja family to being raised to a clan was...mindblowing. Even Kohana herself was still reeling.

She had thought that it would cause problems if someone found out she had Eagle-Vision and in the end her ancestor had them all set already.

So they had lived at the Haruno Clan Compound for a few weeks now.

It was probably the smallest one in all of Konohagakure. It had one main house, where Kohana, her parents and brother lived, and two other houses. The rest was still forest, but when the clan would get bigger one day, they would be cut and new houses be built.

Their symbol was the Assassin Brotherhood one in the middle a little cherry blossom.

Kohana would lie if she said it was not weird to wear a clan symbol on all her clothes.

The white circle her family had used before was a family crest, nothing special, however, a clan symbol was something else.

The thought of her family now being a clan still felt surreal to Kohana. She couldn't help but wonder what the future held for them.

Would they become a large and powerful clan, or would they remain small and unknown? Either way, she was grateful for the new opportunities that had been presented to them.

But at the same time, she knew that with this newfound status came great responsibility. They would have to work hard to maintain their reputation as a strong and honourable clan. Kohana vowed to do her part in upholding their legacy and making her ancestors proud.

As she made her way out of her room and towards the kitchen, Kohana couldn't help but hum along to the tune of the song that had been playing earlier.

It was a reminder that even in times of uncertainty and change, there was always something good to hold onto.

***

“Chuunin-Exams?!”, shouted Obito surprised.

Team 7 was done with their mission for the day, guarding the borders of Konohagakure, and had gone to their training field to enjoy lunch together.

Even Kushina was with them.

Since the first time she trained with them, the Uzumaki had started to join them more often for training.

Especially with Kohana. She had actually a mentor-ship with Kushina.

The Eagle Vision made her understand Fuin Jutsu in an outstanding way that Kushina and Minato-Sensei had started teaching her in it.

The green-haired girl felt honoured that Kushina shared her Uzumaki Clan Fuin Jutstu with her. It was the highest honour one could give another, sharing with them their clan jutsus.

Also, she really likes Kushina.

She was like a fun older sister.

When they were alone Kohana called her Kushina-Nee.

“Chuunin-Exams.”, repeated Minato-Sensei with a smile at his flabbergasted Genin, well all beside Kakashi. The Hatake seemed calm. “In the last months, all four of you have made incredible progress. In my eyes, you are more than ready to take on the next Chuunin Exams in Konoha.”

“You are gonna wipe the floor with the others, Dattebane!”, encouraged Kushina with a fist bump.

Rin made a little bow.

“Thank you for having such fate in us, Minato-Sensei.”

“Yeah, thanks!”, chorused Obito and Kohana, bowing too.

“So I can assume you all want to join up.”

Of course, the four Genin wanted to.

Kohana felt excitement bubble up in her. If she managed to pass the Chuunin Exam the first time she would be the first in her family to, do it on the first try and second, being so young.

That would make a great start for the legacy of the Haruno Clan.

The team was thrilled at the prospect of participating in the Chuunin Exams. They knew that it would be a tough challenge, but they were ready for it. Kohana felt a sense of determination wash over her as she thought about what lay ahead. She knew that she had to work hard and stay focused if she wanted to succeed.

As they finished their lunch and headed back to the village, Minato-Sensei reminded them of the importance of teamwork and trust in each other. He stressed that they needed to rely on one another in order to make it through the exams.

The Chuunin Exams would be a test not only of their skills as a ninja but also of their character and resolve. Kohana was determined to prove herself worthy of being a Haruno Clan member and make her ancestors proud.

***

Her Eagle Vision burned in her eyes, her Hidden Blade was sharp and ready, her sense awake and alert.

Whatever her brother Kizashi would throw at her, she would overcome it.

Kizashi grinned at Kohana.

“Are you sure you want to fight me, Imoto-Chan? I’m 19, you are 9 years old. There is a gap between us.”

“And I will surpass it!”

With that, both siblings run up to each other trading punches.

Kohana dodged Kizashi's first punch and countered with a swift kick to his side. Kizashi stumbled back, but quickly regained his footing and lunged forward with a series of jabs.

She blocked each one with ease, her training in the assassination technique of Sakuya had made her faster and more flexible. As Kizashi went in for another attack, Kohana saw an opening and used her Hidden Blade to disarm him.

Her brother looked surprised but impressed as he retrieved his weapon from the ground and resumed their sparring match.

The two siblings continued to trade blows, each pushing themselves to their limits in order to become stronger and better ninjas.

Kohana felt grateful for this opportunity to train with her brother, knowing that it would only make her more prepared for the upcoming Chuunin Exams.

As their training session came to an end, both siblings were exhausted but satisfied with their progress. Kohana knew that she still had a long way to go before she could truly surpass her brother, however, she was determined to keep working hard until she did so.

***

“I’m so happy we found time for a sleepover.”, signed Rin happy, while Kohana was sitting behind her, combing her brown hair.

Both girls were on Kohana’s bed, in their sleepwear, enjoying time only real best friends could do during a sleepover.

“Me too Rin-Chan.”, agreed Kohana. “It seems like we are only, training, training and training these past weeks for the Chuunin Exams. It’s like we forgot being just girls too and not only ninjas.”

Rin nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's nice to just relax and have fun sometimes. We should do this more often."

Kohana smiled and continued to comb Rin's hair. She enjoyed these quiet moments with her friends, where they could just be themselves without any pressure or expectations.

As they chatted about their favourite things and shared stories from their childhood, Kohana felt a sense of warmth and contentment wash over her. She knew that no matter what happened in the future, she would always have Rin by her side.

“Sooo, how it’s going with Obito?”, asked Rin a while later as they ate ice cream.

Rin had strawberry and Kohana chocolate, both with a massive amount of cream and sprinkles on it.

As an answer, Kohana just took a massive spoonful in her mouth.

The brunette winced.

“That bad, mmh?”

“Rin, he is obsessed with you!”, shouted Kohana, raising her arms up. “Like I try to flirt or do something sweet for him and his mind goes to you and how he should do it to YOU! I think he thinks I’m trying to help him to get you, aargh!”

Rin laughed, "Oh, Kohana. You know Obito is just clueless when it comes to these things. He probably doesn't even realize that you're interested in him."

Kohana rolled her eyes, "I know, but it's frustrating. I don't want to come off as desperate or anything."

"Don't worry about it too much.” " the Nohara patted her friend's hand reassuringly. “Just be yourself and if he's meant to notice you, he will."

Kohana smiled at Rin's words of wisdom.

She knew that her friend was right and that she shouldn't stress out too much about Obito. She decided to just enjoy their sleepover and not think about ninja stuff for a while.

After all, they were still just girls who wanted to have fun.

So in that case.

“You and Kakashi seem to get a bit more chummy, or did I hear wrong how you both talked about a book you both read.”, wiggled Kohana her eyebrows and her blushing friend.

“I think it’s too far to say that Kakashi-Kun likes me this way.”, mubles Rin. “But I have a feeling we are forming a good friendship with each other and this makes me really happy.”

Kohana smiled at Rin's response. She was happy for her friend and glad that she was forming a good friendship with Kakashi.

The two of them seemed to have a lot in common, especially when it came to their love of reading.

"I'm glad you have someone else besides me to talk about books with."

Rin nodded, "Yeah, it's nice to have someone who shares my interests."

The two girls continued their conversation, talking about everything and anything that came to mind.

They laughed and joked around, enjoying each other's company.

As the night wore on, they eventually drifted off to sleep with smiles on their faces.

The green-haired girl felt grateful for this moment of peace and happiness, knowing that she would need these memories to hold onto during the tough times ahead.

But for now, she was content just being a girl having fun with her best friend.

!!!!PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!!

This a short chapter, but we will dive into the Chuunin Exams in the next ones, I can’t wait to write for them :D

Also, not Naruto-related, but have you played Life is Strange?

If so, did you sacrifice Chloe or sacrificed Arcadia Bay?

I’m course if you have done the same as me and why you choose this. ^^

Until next time! 

[imperator-solitarius]

Relationships

About Adi

It has helped me so much... I hope it doesn't resent me as well.

It's good to see it again... It should not have to bear this burden alone. I hope the reason for my assistance doesn't trouble it, though...

A very strong outlander... I do wonder why it chose to be my follower when I am a vastly inferior being in regards to power level.

About Kizashi

Ah... Him.

A young soul... He should not have suffered due to my weakness back when everything occured.

About Wanderer

...

Quite powerful, likely able to win if my vessel fought him without my aid. Worthy of a duel with me if he requested such.

About Scaramouche

If he comes to Tatarasuna one day, I will be ready to fight as he wishes and hand over this heart of his.

It seems he does not wish to reclaim me from the chest of my vessel anymore. Regardless, I will be prepared if that does occur.

About Venti

I did not realize what I was doing in that state... I will stay away from Mondstadt.

Venti is an interesting aspect of Barbatos... I would like to invite the Anemo Archon into my Euthymia sometime.

About Lady Saiguu

I don't know her all that well. She seems less mischievous than Guuji Yae, at least.

About Gaming

An energetic mortal. He is very good at Wushou Dancing, and knows where to get delicious food in Liyue Harbor.

About Xaviero

I had to intervene for his own safety. I do not expect to be forgiven after violating his trust...

His power is comparable to the Ruler of Time's. The Heavenly Principles and the Sustainer would have awoken if I had not intervened, I believe.

About the crimson "prince"

One of the first people I met after being brought into this future... despite his initial behavior, he still aided me and I trust him deeply now. I still need to figure out a way to repay him for gambling with his life for my sake...

My boyfriend, familiar and safe to be around... I can't wait to see what other tricks he has up his sleeves. I certainly have a few of my own that I'll surprise him with.

He has earned my blessing for praying to me before nearly dying and having his wish granted by the Cryo Archon. A meeting with him is long past due... It would be unbecoming of a god to not speak to his vessel's most trusted ally.

About "Gold"

A sinner and mother of many Abyssal monsters... Rifthounds, the Golden Wolflord, Durin, Elynas, and others I likely don't even know of yet. Though I have nothing but disdain for her, her children seem very different, playful even. If the Melusines are anything to go by they likely see the world differently, and perhaps, the destruction they cause is but a paradise in their warped reality.

My position requires me to kill her and her more hostile children on sight. It's a good thing I was still developing my awareness when my vessel traveled with Nigredo before his ascension to Rubedo, else I would have attempted to destroy him for being Abyssal.

[sea-owl]

on your post with nadeshiko, what does she think about sakuras team? they're all kinda infamous in their own way. and if we're including your reincarnation au, I'd imagine there's a sort of resentment for what happened to haruka, especially since it was so recent and now there's another pink haired haruno falling for an uchiha.

See first impressions really matter, and that includes the reputation you have before the first meeting. Nadeshiko lives outside the Leaf Village, has never stepped foot in it really. So she didn't know Sasuke as the last of the Uchiah first, she didn't know Naruto as the holder of the nine tails fox first, her first impression of Kakashi wasn't the copy ninja. Her first impression of team 7 came from Sakura's letters. So she knows them as Sakura's teammates first and foremost.

Naruto and Sasuke amuse her, probably because she sees them as her nieces peers and her view of Sakura also affects them, she also thinks they're brats. Amusing brats, that she's grateful for because they've kept her niece safe.

She does judge Kakashi on his dirty books. Not because he's reading them, she's read them herself, but because he openly does it around the children. Time and place sir. Time and place.

Also if we include the reincarnation au I think the main resentment that would be towards the Uchiha and the Leaf Village as a whole, because Hashirama was a very good friend to Haruka as well, was the fact they don't know what happened to her. All they know is that a member of their family had married into a ninja clan, her husband and best friend started a village together to help bring peace into the clans, and then one day she's gone. Every record of her in that clan is erased or destroyed and they will not tell them what happened to her. They can't ask her husband because he's gone too, and they can't get near the only other person who might know.

Taking into account that in my reincarnation au the Harunos can communicate with their past lives I would believe that knowledge and history is very important to them. (You can not tell me that civilians also didn't have accesss to their chakra. I'm willing to bet there were others who just used it in simple ways because they only had small reserves or they had ways to use it that wasn't meant for fighting/ninja life.) They keep meticulous records because of it. Not knowing and the erasure of her exsistance is worse to them then Hashirama owning up to the fact his weapon was half the reason Haruka died because he thought she betrayed the village for Madara.

I like to think in response to this they cut off trade with the Leaf Village for decades until Kizashi moved because the business deal was too good for them to pass up. Also by that time anyone who could tell them what happen is gone. They just have to hope at some point Haruka reincarnates and that her reincarnation will have those memories.

The Harunos are also a family who believe in learning and growing, not punish just because they can due to their able to interact with past lives. While Nadeshiko is wary to see history repeating itself between another Uchiha and Haruno she is a little hopeful that this time will be different.

[lovelyweepingglitter]

The Little Glass Slipper

Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom, there lived a gentle and modest widowed merchant named Kizashi Haruno and his daughter Sakura, who was an intelligent young girl with a kind heart and sweet disposition. This made her belove by her father and everybody else she knew. As time went by the girl grew lovelier as her father grew lonelier. Since his first wife, Mebuki, passed away years ago, he had been looking for another woman to wed so that he could give his daughter a new mother figure.

One day, he met Lady Hinako Masuda, a woman with two daughters of her own, Reika and Fujiko Masuda. Kizashi married Lady Hinako and he introduced her to his daughter as her new stepmother. On the outside, Lady Hinako was a poised, well-known woman of kneen feeling and refined taste. However, she spent most of her time doting on her two daughters, spoiling them until they were just as vile, selfish, vain, and rotten as she was. Despite her many attempts, Sakura was never able to grow closer to her new stepmother.

One stormy night, Kizashi grew ill. His faithful daughter stayed by his side at every waking moment, caring for him to the best of her abilities while his new wife kept her distance. He declared his undying love for Sakura before sadly passing away.

This made Lady Hinako grow jealous of her stepdaughter and a new hatred for the young woman had formed in her icy black heart. She seized the family fortune and spent it all on herself and her daughters, relieving the household servants of their responsibilities, and forcing Sakura to become a slave in her own home. Despite her stepfamily being so cruel to her, Sakura kept her kind heart, generous nature, and loving spirit. She did the cooking and cleaning around the house without speaking one word of complaint or contempt.

Sometimes when it was too cold in the drafty attic where she slept, Sakura would sleep by the amber glow of the dying fire of the hearth to keep warm and the ashes would blow all over her body, covering her face and hair in a fresh blanket of dust and ashes and making her look gray and dirty whenever she woke up the next morning. Despite the insults, chores, and occasional beatings, Sakura always looked on the bright side of things and secretly wished that someday this nightmare would come to an end and she would finally be happy.

One morning, Sakura was scrubbing the floor of the foyer when she heard a knock at the door. She curiously opened it to see one of the King's royal messengers standing before her. The messenger loudly blasted a trumpet in her face before announcing:

"HEAR YE! HEAR YE! THEIR MAJESTIES, THE KING AND QUEEN-"

Before he could finish, Sakura interrupted the messenger by clearing her throat and saying, "You don't have to shout, I'm right here. I can hear you every word you're saying just fine."

"Whoops." The messenger apologized before giving a scroll with the royal seal to Sakura and saying, "Their Majesties, King Hikaru and Queen Ayaka have requested all eligible maiden a Royal Gala tomorrow evening in honor of their only son, Prince Kazuya Watanabe, where he might select a bride."

"A Gala?! Tomorrow night?!" Sakura exclaimed as she held invitation in her hands. Her eyes went wide with excitement. "This is fantastic! I have to tell my Stepmother right away! Thank you very much!"

The messenger smiled, nodded, picked up his trumpet, and happily skipped off to the next house where Sakura could hear him blowing his trumpet loudly in someone else's ears. She rolled her eyes and shook her head with a smirk before closing the door behind her. Sakura was so excited about the Gala that she didn't even notice the dark glares her stepfamily was giving her when she barged in on their breakfast to tell them the news.

"Sakura, what in the name of God are you doing?! You know not to interrupt our meals like this!" Lady Hinako scolded.

"Oh! I-I'm sorry, Stepmother. I didn't mean to barge in, I was just-" Sakura stuttered.

"Hey, what's that?" Reika asked, seeing the scroll.

"Let me see it!" Fujiko said as she took the scroll from her stepsister.

"Hey! Let go of that!"

"No! Gimme that back! I wanna see it!"

"I saw it first!"

"No, I saw it first!"

"Is not!"

"Is too!"

"Is not!"

"Is too!"

As the two girls continued to argue over the scroll, Lady Hinako calmly took the inviation from her daughters, opened it, and read it silently to herself. As she read, she gasped to herself as her eyes seemed to brighten every few seconds. The moment she finished reading the scroll, she excitedly stood from her chair and smiled.

"My goodness! This is wonderful news! Our big chance!" She exclaimed before turning her attention to her daughters. "Girls. Girls. GIRLS!! Stop fighting this instant! It's a message from the palace!"

"THE PALACE?!" Reika and Fujiko cried. Their arguing abruptly stopped.

"Yes, it's true! The King and Queen are inviting us to a Gala tomorrow evening! It's for the Prince to find a wife!" Lady Hinako answered, holding up the invitation in the air.

"A WIFE?!" Reika and Fujiko excitedly squealed.

The two sisters cheered and jumped for joy at the prospect of meeting and possibly being wed to the Prince himself. Sakura cleared her throat to get their attention.

"Uh, Stepmother? Did you read the part about every eligible maiden being invited?" she asked.

All too soon, the room went quiet. Lady Hinako broke the silence by glaring at her stepdaughter as she grumbled, "Yes, I did. Why?"

"No reason. But, I was just thinking...can I go to the Gala too? Please?" Sakura asked with a bashful look on her face.

"You?! Go to the Gala?!" Reika and Fujiko scoffed. Lady Hinako put her hand over her face and closed her eyes as she shook her head.

"Have you lost your mind, Sakura?!" Reika said.

"What would a Prince want with an ugly servant girl like you?!" Fujiko added.

"But, I just thought..." The pinkette started before hearing her stepmother's voice.

"Girls, enough," Lady Hinako ordered before looking back at her stepdaugher. "Well, let's see, Sakura. How do I put this delicately? No."

She gave Sakura a cruel glare and smiled wickedly with her daughters following suit. The room was quiet again. Sakura's hopeful smile suddenly twisted into a disappointed frown and her eyes softened.

"What? But-but...but why, Stepmother?!" Sakura asked.

"Is it not obvious, dear? You're all raggedy and filthy. You can't go to the Gala dressed like that. Everybody would just laugh at you if you came in those old things. And we wouldn't want that now, would we? You stay put, Gala out. No. Bye-bye. End of discussion," Lady Hinako said bluntly.

Reika and Fujiko laughed harshly at their disappointed stepsister. Sakura looked at herself with a shameful expression and sighed. Her stepmother was right. Lady Hinako and her daughters soon went back to their rooms to pick out their outfits for the Gala.

"Sakura! Come here! NOW!!" Lady Hinako demanded. The dusty pinkette nervously followed closely behind the group of three.

The next day, Sakura helped her stepmother and stepsisters get ready for the Gala that night. There was a lot of primping, grooming, and dressing involved and it was very difficult. And when her chores were done and everyone was ready to go, Sakura couldn't help but feel sadder as she watched her stepfamily prep themselves. She knew that she could never be as lovely as them. Then it was time to head to the palace.

"We'll be out very late, I'm sure," Lady Hinako said to Sakura as she and her daughters stood in the open doorway.

"So try not to do anything stupid while we're gone," Fujiko commented.

"And clean up while you're at it," Reika added.

"Well, I hope you have a good time," Sakura said.

"You know we will. Come on, girls. The Prince awaits. Oh! And one more thing, Sakura. Don't follow us. Have fun."

And with that being said, the three wicked women left for the Gala, locking the door behind them so that Sakura couldn't follow them. The moment the three women were out of sight, the pinkette couldn't help but feel very somber when she was left all alone. Sadly, Sakura gazed out the window at the shimmering castle in the distance. She sighed as she leaned on her hands on the window sill. She felt like crying at this point. As she looked at the castle, she saw a falling shooting star soar across the sky and made a wish.

"I wish...I wish that I could go to the Gala," Sakura said before throwing herself onto the floor and began to cry.

Sakura was just about to give up all hope when all of a sudden, a bright light showed into the room, only she was too sad to notice. When the light disappeared, a hand from somewhere unknown reached out and tenderly patted the crying pinkette's back.

"Please don't cry. It's alright. Not all hope is lost," an unfamiliar voice said.

Sakura abruptly lifted her head from the floor and looked around for the source. Then she noticed the hand on her shoulder. She gasped, stood up, looked behind her, and there standing before her was a mysterious and beautiful woman she had never seen before. Sakura gasped and stepped back in surprise.

"No, no. I won't hurt you. It's okay, Sakura," The woman said reassuringly.

Scared and dumbfounded, Sakura asked, "H-how do you know my name? Who are you?"

"Who am I? I thought that would've been pretty obvious. I'm Kaede, your Fairy Godmother."

"Fairy...? But-but-but...I didn't know I had a Fairy Godmother!"

"Of course you do! Everybody does. Well, at least people who truly deserve our help."

"Help?"

"Of course. That's why I'm here. I'm here to grant your wish...to help you go to the Gala."

"The Gala? You mean it?"

"Yes. Now before I do anything, I'll need some supplies. Can you get me a peach real quick?"

"A peach? Uh...sure. Yes, of course."

Sakura was confused by this strange request, but she didn't want to argue. So she retrieved a peach from a fruit bowl sitting on a table and held it up to Kaede.

"Perfect. Now just set that on the floor in front of me and, you might want to take a few steps back for this," The Fariy Godmother said. sor

Sakura nodded and slowly backed away from the peach while Kaede stood above it. The Fairy Godmother closed her eyes and activated her magic wand before the peach on the floor was engulfed in a bright white light and it began to shake, mutate, and morph in kind. It grew larger and larger, hollowing itself out and growing all sorts of new different features. By the time she was done, the peach had been transformed into a beautiful carriage. Sakura gasped in awe. Her eyes went wide with astonishment.

"There we go. One gorgeous carriage," The Fairy Godmother said proudly. "Now, do you have any little animals running around here?"

"Yes, we do. We have a few mice and chipmunks around here somewhere, but I never had the heart to hurt them," Sakura replied.

"Great. Do you think you can find some for me?"

"Sure, I think so. But what you need small animals for?"

"Trust me, nothing bad will happen to them. I promise."

Without missing a beat, four little white mice, a big brown chipmunk, and two sleek green lizards ran out of the hole in the wall right in front of the Sakura and stopped at the Fairy Godmother's feet. Sakura took another few steps back as Kaede curiously inspected the seven little creatures before her.

"Uh...this is a little more than I bargained for, actually," she said, blinking a few times and standing straight again. "Oh well. These should do just fine."

"What are you going to do to them?" Sakura asked.

"Watch."

The Fairy Godmother's wand glowed again and this time, her magic transformed the white mice into four stunnng ponies, the chipmunk was turned into an elderly man with whiskers to drive the carriage, and the two lizards were turned into two dashing ushers. The group made their way to the carriage, positioning themselves for the girl's departure. Sakura's eyes widened again as she gasped at the now fully equipped carriage.

"This is perfect. Now you're ready to go," The Fairy Godmother said as she gestured her hand toward the open carriage door.

"What?" Sakura said, looking down at herself, then back at Kaede. "No, I can't go to the Gala dressed like this."

"What? Oh yeah! Yeah! The dress! Sorry, I completely forgot about that part. Okay, just close your eyes and hold still. I promise this won't hurt a bit."

Sakura did as she was told. Once again, The Fairy Godmother activated her magic wand and a bright white light surrounded the pinkette as she was lifted into the air. In a big explosion of light, Sakura reappeared wearing a beautiful gown in shades of red with her long pink hair done into a sleek, elegant bun and sparkling glass slippers on her feet.

"Okay, Sakura, you can look now," Kaede said, turning off her magic wand.

Sakura slowly opened her eyes, excited and afraid to see what had just happened to her. She looked at herself and gasped in awe as she beheld the dress she was wearing.

"My goodness. I...I...I look incredible! Thank you, Aunt Kaede! Thank you so much!" She cried, embracing her Fairy Godmother tightly before climbing into the peach carriage. "I'm so excited. This is a dream come true!!"

"You're very welcome. I don't go around doing this sort of thing for just anybody, you know," Kaede said.

Suddenly, Sakura remembered something. Lady Hinako. "Aunt Kaede, what about my stepmother and stepsisters?"

"Oh, them? Don't worry. I'll make sure they don't recognize you."

The Fairy Godmother's wand glowed with magic again and added a special ruby headband studded with green gems into Sakura's hair to make it so that her stepfamily wouldn't be able to know who she was.

"Now, off you go, for you shall go to the Gala."

"I can't thank you enough for this!"

"Please, don't mention it! I'm always happy to help. Oh, wait! I almost forgot! Like all dreams, this one doesn't last forever. So remember, you must leave the Gala by midnight."

"Midnight? Why? What happens if I'm not?"

"Because at the last echo of the last bell on the last stroke of twelve, all of the spells that I've cast will be broken and everything will return to what it was before. Do you promise?"

"Don't worry, Aunt Kaede. I'll be home by midnight, I promise."

"Good. Now go enjoy yourself. And remember...nobody deserves this more than you."

And with that, The Fairy Godmother used her magic to unlock and open the front doors of the house and the peach carriage quickly pulled its way out of the foyer and it began its journey to the castle for the Gala. Sakura smiled excitedly and waved goodbye to Kaede as she waved back.

"Oh, I do hope she remembers the curfew. It'll be so embarrassing if she's doesn't," Kaede muttered to herself before vanishing in a bright white flash.

At the castle, the Gala was in full swing, and everybody that was there having a wonderful time, all except for Prince Kazuya himself that is. He wasn't having as much fun as the other guests and he was growing more and more bored with the Gala every minute. Things go so bad for the Prince that his parents thought he would never find his true love.

"Ugh, this is so boring," Kazuya yawned as he stood beside the King and Queen.

"Come on, son. Lighten up," King Hikaru said jokingly.

"Yes, dear. There has to be something you find enjoyable...or maybe somebody who probably caught your fancy by now," Queen Ayaka added.

"No. I don't even know why you planned this whole thing for me in the first place," The Prince groaned, putting a hand over his face.

"You know the answer to that. It's for you to find and choose a wife," King Hikaru answered.

"Ugh! Not this again! Mom, Dad, I already told you! I don't want..."

But before Prince Kazuya could finish his sentence, everything went silent. The Prince looked and he could see the reason why. When Sakura entered the Gala at the top of the staircase and gazed at the ballroom, she couldn't believe her eyes.

'Wow. This is even more beautiful than I imagined,' she thought, with a smile creeping onto her lips.

Everybody stopped what they were doing and they all stared at Sakura in awe as she walked down the stairs and into the ballroom. They thought she was the most beautiful and regal girl they have ever seen and thought of her as a princess, but nobody knew who she was. Not too far, Prince Kazuya took a good at Sakura and his mouth fell open.

'Who is that? She's beautiful,' he thought as his eyes widened with astonishment.

"You were saying?" The Queen asked.

"Son? Are you alright? Son," The King said, nudging Prince Kazuya's shoulder.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine," The Prince muttered, not turning his gaze away. "Excuse me."

Prince Kazuya made his way to Sakura with a single-minded determination. He had never seen a girl so lovely in all his life. Once he had made his way in front of her, he bowed his head to her before politely saying:

"Hello."

Sakura turned her head around and she saw probably the most handsome young man she had never seen. Her eyes widened when she realized he was the Prince.

"How do you do, Your Highness?" She politely said before bowing her head.

"Hey, I was just wondering, would you...like to dance?"

"Oh, uh...yes. I'd love to. Thank you."

Sakura smiled and took Prince Kazuya's hand before they made their way to the middle of the dance floor as the lights slowly dimmed for a more romantic setting. Soon, the two began to dance a waltz as the orchestra began to play. Sakura had never learned how to dance before, but that didn't seem to stop her from gliding across the marble floor with Prince Kazuya at her side. As the couple dances, the other girls only stared at them with disappointment and envy with Lady Hinako and her two daughters more than anyone else.

"Who does that little hussy think she is anyway? Other girls want a turn to dance with the Prince too, you know!" Fujiko protested.

"For once, I agree with you! What a brat!" Reika shrieked, angrily stomping her foot on the floor. "Mother, who is she?!"

"I have no idea, girls. But I do know one thing. This definitely does not look good. Wait...have I seen that girl somewhere before?" Lady Hinako muttered, eying the young woman curiously.

"Um, Your Highness? Everybody is staring at us," Sakura whispered.

"Really? I forgot that there was anyone else here." Prince Kazuya smiled.

During the course of the evening, Sakura was having the time of her life while gaining the respect and affection of everyone with her natural charm and beauty. And she soon began to grow feelings of affection towards Prince Kazuya. He shares the same emotions towards her. And eventually, these feelings blossomed into something more. But Sakura was having so much fun that she had completely forgotten her Fairy Godmother's warning. Sakura and the Prince soon made their way out of the bustling ballroom and out onto the balcony.

"I've had an amazing time tonight," Prince Kazuya said sheepishly.

"Me too. I'll never forget this," Sakura added.

"Me neither. Beautiful night, isn't it?"

"Yes, I love the night. And this view? I don't think things could get any more breathtaking than this."

"Yeah, it's gorgeous. Hey, I just noticed something. You never mentioned your name or who you are throughout the night, not even once. Can you tell me what it is?"

"My name? Oh. Uh...I shouldn't say."

"Why not?"

"Because, well...because I don't even belong here."

"What? Surely, you must be joking. The Gala's in my honor, isn't it? And as far as I'm concerned...you're the only one that does belong here."

Sakura blushed and smiled. The two young lovers stared into each other's eyes loving while getting closer and closer to each other, with their hands almost touching.

"Now, your name?" Prince Kazuya asked.

"Right. My name is..."

But before Sakura could tell Prince Kazuya her name, the clock started chiming. She looked at the clock tower and saw that it was midnight.

"Oh no! Midnight! I'm sorry, but I have to go!" Sakura exclaimed, standing up.

"What? When?" Prince Kazuya asked, also standing up.

"Now! It's just really hard to explain. Mice and peaches and...and things."

"Say that again?"

"Again, I'm so sorry!"

Sakura quickly kissed Prince Kazuya's cheek and ran back into the castle. She raced through the crowded ballroom and the enormous groups of people as fast as she could, desperately trying to reach the exit. As she continued to run, the Prince ran after her as he pleaded with her to stop.

"Wait! Stop! Don't go!"

But Sakura kept on running, with her heart beating faster and louder with every haunting toll of the clock tower's enormous bell. Soon enough, she finally made her way out of the ballroom, through the hallways, and down the castle staircase. But while she was running down the stairs, she tripped on the stone and lost one of her glass slippers. As the clock finally struck tweleve, the magic had completely worn off and Sakura was back in her old rags.

'Oh no. I'm too late,' she thought, looking at herself shamefully.

"Come back! Where are you going?! Stop, please!" Prince Kazuya shouted.

Sakura couldn't risk letting the Prince see her in such a state. Thinking fast, she took off her other glass slipper, slipped it into her pocket, and run off barefoot as fast as she could and back home with sweat running down her face and tears in her eyes.

Moments later, Prince Kazuya finally made his way outside, but to his disappointment, the mysterious maiden was already gone. However, he soon discovered Sakura's glass slipper sitting on the stairs. He picked it up and looked at it, thinking of the beautiful stranger who had stolen his heart. Suddenly, he smiled. The slipper had given him an idea.

A proclamation was soon decalred that Prince Kazuya will only marry the maiden whose feet fit the slipper made of glass. The next morning, he tried the slipper on the feet of all the ladies in the land. Unfortunately, he had no luck. For the glass slipper would fit no one else, except for its ture owner. Then the Prince came to the last house on his search: the house of Sakura Haruno. His guard knocked on the door and Lady Hinako and her daughters answered it. They excitedly smiled when they met the young man's gaze.

"Prince Kazuya! What a surprise!" Reika happily gasped.

"Please come in. I suppose you've come to make the wedding arrangements for me or my sister to be your new wife?" Fujiko asked before flipping her hair.

"What?! No!" Prince Kazuya nervously exclaimed, shaking his head. "When I find the one whose feet fit this slipper, then she'll be my wife. But I've tried just about everybody else in the kingdom and I'm exhausted. So...it must be one of you!"

"Of course, Prince Kazuya! Come with us, please!" Reika cried as she pulled the Prince inside.

"Yeah, yeah! Let's just have a quick look at that shoe," Fujiko added.

"Yes, Your Highness. I'm sure either of my two gorgeous daughters will be able to slip on it for you. I promise," Lady Hinako said.

The guard tried the slipper on Reika, but it was too small for her big foot. Then the guard tried the slipper on Fujiko, but it was too small for her big foot too. Prince Kazuya sighed and rubbed his head in exasperation, thinking all hope was lost.

"Are there any other girls in the house?" he asked, hoping for a 'yes.'

"No," Lady Hinako answered smugly while her two daughters shook her heads.

But just as the Prince was about to leave with a broken heart, he heard a voice he didn't recognize call out, "Don't listen to her, she's lying! There's Sakura Haruno!"

It was the voice of Sakura's Fairy Godmother, Kaede. Prince Kazuya abruptly stopped in his tracks and looked back at Lady Hinako and her daughters with a stern look in her eyes.

"I ask you again: is there someone else in this house?" he asked, rasing a suspicious eyebrow.

"Um...Oh, no, no, no, Your Highness! I can assure you, there is no one else here," Lady Hinako lied, trying to keep her cool.

"With all due respect, madam, I wish to see for myself. Now, if you please..." Prince Kazuya calmly protested.

"But, Your Highness..."

"I said now!!"

"Uh, excuse me?" A familiar voice asked. "I don't mean to interrupt, but what's going on out here?"

Prince Kazuya, Lady Hinako, and her daughters turned their heads to see Sakura slowly peek her head out from behind sleeping beside the chimney once more and was covered in ashes and soot, making her look nothing like the mysterious princess from the Gala the night before. But even under the dusty and dirty exterior, the young woman look radiant to Prince Kazuya. He smiled as he approached her.

"Are you Sakura Haruno?" he asked with a hopeful look in his eyes.

"Yes, I am," she asnwered, nodding her head.

"Oh please, Your Highness, be real here!" Lady Hinako said, trying to block Sakura with her leg. "This dirty, filthy, mucky little creature is the child my late husband left behind. It couldn't be her."

"Uh-huh! Plus, she wasn't even at tha Gala!" Fujiko commented.

"Yeah! Don't even think about it! She's revolting!" Reika added.

"I said in my proclamation that every madien in the land has to try on the slipper!" Prince Kazuya shouted, with his tone stern and calm at the same time.

"Uh... Oh fine," Lady Hinako grumbled, letting her stepdaughter pass through. "But I have to warn you, there's no point. You're just wasting your time."

"Yeah. The shoe probably won't fit even if you tried," Reika commented.

"She's not even worth it," Fujiko added.

"I'll be the judge of that. May I?" Prince Kazuya asked Sakura as he held out his hand.

"Oh, yes. Of course," Sakura shyly said, taking the Prince's hand and stepping forward.

So Prince Kazuya took the glass shoe and offered it to the young woman and to his surprise, it slipped onto Sakura's foot with ease. It fits perfectly! Lady Hinako, Reika, and Fujiko gasped and their eyes widened in shock at the sight.

"No!!" Fujiko cried.

"It can't be!!" Lady Hinako wailed.

"That's impossible!!" Reika screeched.

"It is you...isn't it?" The Prince asked, looking up at Sakura.

"Just so," Sakura simply said, taking out her other glass slipper and putting it on.

Prince Kazuya held Sakura's hands in his own and smiled at her.

"I've searched the whole day for you. Will you be my wife?" he asked.

"Yes, I will...that is, if you'll take me as I am."

"Of course I will. How could I not?"

Prince Kazuya wrapped his arms around Sakura before they both shared a sweet, romantic kiss, all while Lady Hinako, Reika, and Fujiko were glaring at them with malice and disbelief.

And so, Sakura's dream had finally come true. She and the Prince were married and she became a princess, never having to take orders and do chores ever again. As for Lady Hinako and her daughters, even though they apologized, begged, and pleaded to be allowed into the castle with Sakura, an order was quickly sent, saying that Lady Hinako Masuda, Reika Masuda, and Fujiko Masuda were to leave the kingdom at once and to never set foot in the land again. And so, Sakura Haruno and Prince Kazuya Watanabe lived happily ever after.

[not-the-darknight]

Diluc’s expression softened further as he listened, piecing together the fragments of Kizashi’s story. It was clear the puppet carried a deep burden—one tied to his ‘brothers,’ his origin, and the expectations he felt obligated to fulfill. “Do you accept yourself, Kizashi?” Diluc asked gently, keeping his gaze steady. “Because acceptance from others starts with accepting yourself first. No matter what memories you’ve inherited or what expectations you feel have been placed on you, those aren’t the sum of who you are.”

He paused, hoping his words would sink in. “It may be true that you share origins with your brothers, just like wine bottles can come from the same vineyard. But no two bottles are ever the same, even if they come from the same grapevine. Each one has its own flavor, its own character—shaped by time, weather, and the hands that crafted it. And so, your experiences, your choices, will make you different, regardless of where you came from.”

Diluc let out a slow breath, his tone staying calm and steady, a grounding presence for the puppet. “It’s only been less than a year since you’ve been here. It’s normal not to know everything about yourself yet—humans take a lifetime to learn who they truly are. We change and grow, sometimes slowly, sometimes in ways we don’t expect. What you’re feeling isn’t wrong or unusual, even if you are not human.” He offered a small, reassuring smile. “You have time. Time to figure out who you want to be, apart from anyone else’s expectations or memories. And you’re allowed to take that time. It’s part of life, whether you’re human or not.”

🩹 (Kizashi)

< @falcons-florens >

Diluc moved silently through the shadows of Dawn Winery, slipping through one of the large windows that framed the vineyard outside. The full moon night cast long shadows across the hallway, but he preferred the cover of darkness as he made his way inside. He clutched his shoulder tightly, the pain a dull throb beneath his fingertips—a reminder of the skirmish he had just escaped.

Earlier that night, while protecting a clumsy Adventurer from a group of Shadowy Husks, he had taken a blade to the shoulder. It wasn’t his first encounter with danger, nor would it be his last, but the injury was fresh, and he knew better than to ignore it. He had cauterized the wound with his pyro vision, the searing heat both painful and necessary. Now, as he walked, he felt the heat radiating from the burn, a sharp contrast to the cool air of the night.

As he continued down the dimly lit hallway, he caught sight of a figure peeking around the corner. It was Kizashi, the young puppet he had welcomed earlier, his expression a mixture of curiosity and concern. Diluc paused for a moment, noting how the soft light from the window illuminated Kizashi’s features, contrasting with the shadows that cloaked him.

Diluc paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied the young man, curious about what he was doing at this hour. “Kizashi,” he whispered, keeping his voice low to avoid startling him. “What are you doing up at this time?”

[pinkhairedlily]

“I’m so sorry.”

Kizashi and Mebuki are seeing a different Sasuke. Their daughter’s husband rarely says ‘sorry’, but here he is — a deep bow on the floor, repeating the sentence over the loud cries of a child until Kizashi taps his shoulder.

Sasuke’s hollow cheeks and dark bags give away the sleepless nights.

“If Sakura was here, Sarada wouldn’t get sick.” Sasuke closes his eyes in regret and waits for his in-laws’ harsh judgment. 

“Why don’t you sleep for a while, Sasuke?” Mebuki offers as she disappears into the kitchen. 

“I can’t.” Nothing he did seemed to alleviate Sarada’s suffering. It really had to happen while his wife was away on a month-long diplomatic mission. Sasuke thought he could do this alone, this thing called being a father, but he’s an utter failure at the bottom of it all.

“Rest.” Apron-donned Mebuki glares at him with both hands on her hips. “That’s what we’re here for.”

He lets Kizashi lead him to the couch where the man throws him a blanket. “Collapsing won’t help my grandchild, you know. Sarada needs her father.”

The first thing Sasuke registers when he wakes up is silence. Sarada has fallen asleep.

Most of the house is dark except for the kitchen where the old couple have their shoga-yu (hot ginger tea). A pot of cooled okayu (rice porridge) rests on the counter, ready to heat anytime.

Sasuke sits on his knees and bows. It’s a sight they’ll never get used to. “Thank you. I understand I am lacking as a parent and —”

“Oh quit with the bullshit, son,” Kizashi scolds him with fondness. “You don’t need to do everything by yourself. Not anymore.”

“My darling’s right. We’re your family after all.” Mebuki hands him a plate of onigiri. “I know this is your favorite —Sakura told us — and it may not come close to what your Mom made, but I hope it will suffice. It has tuna filling.”

Under their expectant gazes, Sasuke takes a bite. 

Suddenly, he’s three again, in the kitchen, grabbing the first onigiri Mikoto shaped.

“Yeah not close,” Sasuke mutters to their amusement, and he takes another one and another and another and his soul is full and warm and comforted.