Step 25 - Changes
Changes can be good, just as they can be bad. A change means the end of something old and at the same time the beginning of something new, perhaps even something better. Changes shape our life and occur so often that we no longer really notice them. A change can be a breakup in a relationship or a haircut, maybe even just to change plans and the way of work. In principle, change is usually a good thing and it is up to you to ensure that it does not change into something bad, that it doesn’t change you as a person.
There is silence in the room. Only regular breathing can be heard. Not even the morning rain shower outside of the house is disturbing the married couple from their slumber. There’s only a slight rustling as the man's hand lifts from the bed and moves to his wife’s back, while she cuddles deeper into her pillow. Peace and quiet reigns in the bedroom, just like it should be. There is nothing that can destroy such an idyll and tranquility between two people. Even the breathing of the two is parallel, making it sound like there’s only one person sleeping in the bed. Nobody would dare to wake them up. Nothing, but a certain annoying thing.
The time display of the clock jumps to 6am and a sudden loud beeping sounds through the dark room, making the young Haruno turn her face to the window and presses her ear on her pillow. "Sasuke, your alarm clock." She mumbles tiredly, obviously trying to ignore the beeping. "Mhm." The black haired man hums in response, more asleep than awake. Her head turns the other way when the beeping takes no end, looking at her husband who keeps sleeping, oblivious of all the noise. Her eyes open a crack, hovering above him in order to be able to aim for the alarm clock, only to press its button. When the annoying beeping finally stops, she lets out a sigh of relief and lays her head back on her pillow next to him, only to move back into a comfortable position.
She exhales noisily before she has already dozed off again. Peace and quiet return. A smile lays on her lips while her back rises and falls slightly as she lies half on her stomach, with her head resting on his shoulder. His right hand slips underneath her shirt, pulling the fabric up the further his hand moves up and exposes her back. His other hand hanging loosely from the bed. He takes in a deep breath and pulls his left hand to his face, as he is slowly waking up from his sleep. He turns his head to the right and cuddles deeper into the pillow and his nose hidden in her pink hair. The alarm clock starts beeping again, forcing the black haired man to open his eyes. "Sasuke, your alarm clock is annoying!" His wife grumbles immediately at him. Rubbing his eyes, he sets his gaze to his left on the nightstand. "I know." He then responds with a sigh and switches off his alarm clock. His dark grey eyes look around the dark room, until they settle on his sleeping wife. "I have to get up and prepare for work." The man starts to explain, while rubbing his eyes again. "Mhm." The Haruno grumbles only half awake. "You know, you have to get off me for that." He then continues with an amused smile, when he notices her dosing off again.
Sakura’s head is still resting on his right shoulder, one of her legs is between his and the other on his right, more or less using him as a mattress. That's why her breathing has adapted to his. "Shut up!" She grumbles in response and cuddles her cheek closer to his chest. "Cookies don't talk!" A soft laugh escapes his lips at her words, making his chest vibrate slightly. He gently runs his fingers up and down her spine, only to press her against his stomach with gentle force and turn around with her so that she ends up lying underneath him. She squeaks, startled. Sasuke supports himself on his left hands next to her head, watching her grimace and growl. "You squeak like a cute little bunny." It comes from him with a smile. He carefully lifts his body and lies back down next to her, only to copy her position from before and cuddle himself onto her left side. "Behave, Sasuke, otherwise I'll rethink the whole thing about you going back to work." She grumbles annoyed by his constant movements. The black haired man just smiles and leans forward, gently pressing a kiss on her right cheek. He would love it if she would do that, but unfortunately he doesn’t have the luxury to do so much longer. He has already been off work for a whole week. Carefully he pulls his arm out from under her back and moves away. He would love to cuddle up in bed with her longer, but he has more time for that in the evening.
Still tired himself, he takes the blanket and covers his wife with it properly before he gets up from the bed and makes his way around the bed to open the curtain. Outside the window, too, darkness greets him. Although not quite as dark as it had been in the room. Winter is getting closer and closer, the nights longer and the days shorter. But on the horizon you can already see the bright clouds that cover the rising sun.
He yawns and stretches himself, slowly turning away to take a shower and devote himself to his morning routine. He quietly closes the door behind himself to let his wife rest some more. With relish, she turns around in her bed and pushes her head deeper into the soft pillow, while she pulls her legs up to her body. She only notices vaguely everything around her, except for the room brightening up more and more with every minute that passes by.
A double beep sounds in the room before music replaces the annoying sound. Her alarm clock’s radio has turned on and is now playing the latest charts. Tired, she opens her eyes and finally turns on her right side, gazing at the window pane which is covered with raindrops, as many more are still falling from the sky. The song on the radio ends and gets replaced by a man's voice. “Good morning Tokyo! Today is going to be a wonderful day. We are expecting 20 degrees in bright sunshine!” She hears the moderator say and she cannot stop herself from rolling her eyes in annoyance. “Stop talking nonesense!” She growls as the door to the bathroom opens. “What?” She hears his husband ask with a smile, walking up to her and the bed, examining her questioningly, while he supports himself with his arms on her left and right. "The radio news are claiming and promising nice weather, while it is pouring outside." The young woman explains with a grumble and lets her fingers run through her husband's hair. "Well, i guess we can’t change anything about it." He replies and bends down to her. "Good morning.” She murmurs softly to him, making him smile at her. “Morning, beautiful." He then suddenly grabs her and turns with her so that she is back on top of him and puts his arms around her. Startled, she lets out a squeak, but doesn’t wait to lean her head down on his chest. "Does this mean, that you don't want to go to work yet after all?" Sakura explores with a smile and cuddles herself more into his arms, making him sigh. "Right, there was something." He mumbles and carefully lifts her off his chest again.
Slowly getting back up from the bed, Sasuke goes to the closet, pulls out a suit and two shirts. "The nightblue one." It comes from his wife as she rolls onto the side of the bed to finally get up as well. "And why blue?" Her husband inquires and looks around at her. "I like blue, besides, it fits you." She just shrugs her shoulders calmly in response and approaches the bathroom door. "Well. Then you'll put on green today." Replies the black haired and hangs his green shirt back into the closet. Somewhat surprised, she looks up from the chest of drawers, from which she was about to look and choose fresh underwear. "I like green." He just continues calmly and looks for a matching tie. Smiling, she shakes her head, takes fresh underwear and goes to the bathroom to do her own morning routine.
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The Haruno puts the lid on the Bentō box and then turns around. Her husband is sitting there on one of the bar stools at the kitchen counter. The plate in front of him empty and his mug stands next to it, while he leans on his elbows and has apparently been watching her. She smiles a little uncertainly at him and looks at the clock. “What is it?” She asks, sipping her tea. “Not many women look as beautiful in green as you do.” He smiles charmingly, making her flush, making him grin when he discovers the blush on her cheeks, which doesn't surprise him. She is already dressed and made up, but she still has her hair on large curlers, which destroy the picture a bit. No woman would call herself pretty at this moment, but he still said that he finds her beautiful. "Don't you have to go?" She explores quietly and puts the box next to him, before she sips on her mug again. "Mmh, I still have a little bit time." He replies. "And what about you? Are you ready for work already?” His grey eyes move over her hair in order to indicate what he means with his question. "As good as." Sakura smiles and puts down her teacup. "Well, do you want to drive together then?” He suggests with a smile, making her look up at him with surprise and examines him carefully. "No thanks. I don't plan on staying at the company until midnight. Besides, I'm going to take a different, faster route.” She teases with a grin. "Oh really?" He says, playing astonished. Grinning, the green eyed woman nods and runs two fingers into her hair to pull out the curlers in a swift movement. "Yes. In addition to the faster route, I also know where my car has the accelerator.” It comes from her calmly and pulls the last curler out of her hair, which falls over her shoulders in its pretty big curls. "Are you going to bet?" He grins at her. "If you want to lose." Sakura shrugs in response and walks towards her handbag. She hums softly while looking around in it before picking up the purse and smiling at him. Sasuke shakes his head in amusement, letting out a chuckle and picks up his lunch box and work bag. "Let’s see." The pink haired grins confidently and takes her food box.
The two of them leave the kitchen and slip into their shoes and jackets before taking their car keys. Her legs carry her to the garage. “I'll give you the chance to drive out first, so that you have a chance when we drive behind each other.“ The Uchiha smiles at her. "Too friendly.“ The Haruno responds snootily and gets into her car. “Don’t worry. I'll wait until the gate is closed.” She says before she closes the door of her carriage. Sasuke also gets into his car and starts it, as does she. While the garage opens, the two fasten up their seatbelts and make the necessary adjustments in their car. Heating or air conditioning to prevent the windows from fogging up. When the garage door went up, she is the first to get out of the garage, followed by her husband. He then closes the gate by remote control while she lets the entrance gate open. When this is also open, she drives out and stands on the right on the street, which surprises him, since he purposefully let her drive out first. But there she is standing down the street on the left, waiting for him to push the button to close the entrance gate. With a smile, the Haruno waves to him through the rearview mirror when the gate is closed and steps on the accelerator and sets the car in motion. Sasuke smiles and steps onto the gas pedal as well to get the car rolling. The competition has started.
The Uchiha drives to the Uchiha Corporation for almost 25 minutes, while leaning calmly in his driver's seat. It’s not like he is in need of driving faster than allowed. He already knows that he’s going to win anyway and even if he should loose, he at least won’t cheat by going against the limit rules. Though, he’s kind of disappointed that it turned into a bet, when he just expected her to say yes and go to work together with him instead. He would have just taken the remaining work and drive her home, if it was really only because of the time differences. It’s not like he’s still running away from her. After all, they have already talked out their problems a little over an week ago. With a slight sigh, his lips curl up into a smile, as he drives past the parking lots into the underground parking lot, which in summer always ensures that he gets into a cool car. He slowly lets the car roll past the parking lot. Surprised, he steps onto the brakes and stares out the windshield, at the parking lot next to his, which unexpectedly is already occupied. Smiling, his wife leans against her car, arms crossed slightly in front of her chest, as she lifts one arm and gives him a slight wave. Letting out a soft sigh, he cant stop himself from smiling in amusement. She really waited for him, instead of just going up? He thought she only wanted to take this ‘short cut’ to get to work faster. Or did she really just not want to drive with him? Disappointed, his dark eyes move around the place, before he parks in his parking lot and gets out. "Well, first!" She grins like a child and watches him as he encircles his car and walks towards her until he stops in front of her. "And how many penalties for driving too fast will we get soon?" The Uchiha explores with a grin. "None at all. I don’t need to break laws in order to beat you." She smiles satisfied and looks into his grey eyes. “Says the one who bragged about knowing where the accelerator is.” She pouts, as he has hit a point. She shouldn’t have said that after all. "And what do you get for winning?" The words of the black haired man resemble a purr. Sakura shrugs her shoulders with a sigh, before she turns around and takes her work stuff out of the car and then locks it. "No idea, betting for money is kind of tasteless after a fun competition." Sasuke smiles amused at his wife’s claim and then does the same as her and gets out his belongings.
Together they enter the office building and walk down the empty corridor to the elevators. Sasuke presses the call button and then looks at his wife, who is waiting for the number above the elevator, which shows how long they have to wait until it arrives, until finally a low tone sounds and the elevator stops in front of them. He lets her go ahead and enters right after, before the doors close again and silence falls over them both. "Tell me." Sasuke begins the conversation after a moment and puts the work bag against the wall on the floor. “How about we go on vacation during Christmas holidays?” He explores, putting his hands into his pockets. "Vacation?" The young Haruno looks up at him from the side. “Are you all right?” She suddenly asks and holds her hand to his forehead, making him frown. "Forget it. I obviously shouldn’t have asked.” He should have expected her to make fun of him again. “No. No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make fun of you. It’s just, your question surprised me." She smiles apologetically and lets her hand drop again. "What’s that supposed to mean?” He asks and reconsiders his sentence. "Going on vacation." She replies with a smile. "What's so weird about that?" Now completely irritated, he moves his fingers through his hair. "That you even know what the word vacation means." She explains with a grin. Sasuke snorts briefly and looks at her with an angry look. “Sorry that i was scared to let anyone in, but this doesn’t testify anything about my experiences. What you don’t seem to want to see is, that i don’t work till night because i love it. If i could, i would gladly change positions with you.” Shocked she looks up at him. She never expected him to say such a thing. “Then... then make me understand...” He hears her whisper, making him look back at her, just to avert his gaze again with a sigh. What would it help telling her. How could she understand how hard it is to keep a company running. It’s not as easy as her job. His responsibilities are just too big as the boss. Silence overcomes them and they both find it kind of awkward.
“Sorry, i really didn’t mean to mock you.” He hears his wife mumble a little awkward, making him look at her again. He stares silently at her side profile, seeing her regretting her choice of words. He can’t help but feel his gaze soften again, as a gentle smile pulls on his lipsz Unnoticed, he automatically reaches out his hand to her and suddenly begins to tickle her. She squeaks in surprise and tries to escape her husband's fingers, but he has long since pulled her into his arms and holds her tightly as he keeps tickling her. She doesn't even have a chance to escape. "Sasuke! That's mean!” She laughs and writhes in his arms. “So were you!” He just grins in response and continues until a tear of laugher falls from her eye. He stops immediately when he takes notice of it and lets her catch her breath. Gently putting his arms back around her waist, he presses her against his chest. Out of breath, Sakura smiles. "I'm glad you're okay again." She mumbles, looking up at him almost shyly. "But only because of you." He smiles and caresses her hair. She blushes and in the next moment she feels his fingers, which tickle her again. Even if she tries to suppress it, she doen’t succeed for long, as she is already lying laughing in his arms again. A few moments later the bright tone sounds again and the elevator doors open. The Uchiha pauses in surprise and looks at the empty hallway in front of him, while his wife's laughter fades as she quickly gets out of his arms and tries to appear serious. Quickly Sasuke picks up his things again, in order not to occupy the elevator much longer and let it go it’s way. Together they then leave the elevator and walk down the hall. "You don't have to come with me to my office." He says, when they walk past her office. "I have to go to Ayame." She just waves off and smiles at him.
The black haired man sighs in agony, when they arrive in front of his secretary’s office. "What’s wrong?" Sakura explores immediately. "After I was sick, all the work was left behind." The Uchiha murmurs almost dejectedly, "It will take a long time until I have finished that. I will have to work even longer than usual." He sighs, while he opens the door to his secretary's office. "No, I do not think so. You had the best replacement there could be in this company." His wife explains with a reassuring smile. "Thank you Sakura, I really like to hear that." Both of them suddenly hear a different males voice and look around to the side. "Dad." Sasuke exclaims with surprise. Fugaku smiles and looks at his son over for a moment, before he turns to his daughter in lae. “Does he have your permission to set foot in here?” "Yes, of course." The pink haired woman smiles and hugs her father-in-law. “Well then, come Sasuke. There’s something that i need to talk to you about." Fugaku then notes and points to the office door of his son. "See you later." The Haruno smiles at her husband before the door is closed between them. “Good morning, Ayame. From now on Sasuke has an appointment every day at 12pm.” Sakura explains and immediately turns to her husband's secretary. "Of course and may i ask what is it for?" The brunette woman asks as she is already typing around on her keyboard. "Having lunch with me. Otherwise i fear that he will drown himself back into work and completely forget about the food again." Sakura then explains with a smiles while Ayame nods in understanding. “Okay then, see you later." Sakura says her goodbye and leaves the office to go to her own.
The hallway is almost completely empty. Only two or three people run across it briefly to get a coffee or something similar in the kitchen. Smiling slightly, the pink haired woman opens her office door and enters the still empty office. She puts her bag on her desk and takes off her beige trench jacket, hanging it over the backrest of her office chair, before pressing the power button of her computer. The bag with the food box and the handbag find their place on the floor and the work materials and the drawing which she already started over the last week, are all spread out on the table. Sighing, she sits down in her chair and picks up the pencil. In the next moment the door gets opened, as her brunette collegue enters with a sigh and closes the door behind her. Silently and still undiscovered, Sakura watches her friend and colleague as she puts her bag on the desk and slips out of her jacket. Sighing again, the woman strokes her fingers through the brown hair and shakes them gently. A few scattered drops fall to the ground as she does so, only to pause in surprise when she finally looks up. "Hey." Greets the Haruno with a smile when Natsuki has finally taken notice of her. "Hi." The blue eyed woman greets back with a smile. "Is Sasuke all right again?" The Hondo looks at her questioningly while she falls into her own chair with relief. “Yes, everything is fine now. He still has a slight runny nose and coughs once in a while, but the doctor said that he could go back to work.” Explains Sakura with a nod.
Curious, Sakura leans on her forearms and leans over the table as far as possible. “And?” She then explores with a grin, making the brunette look around a little surprised. “What, and?” She replies, confused. "Well, you have to tell me how your date went. Unfortunately I can't read that in a magazine." The green eyed woman winks at her colleague with a smile. "Oh." Natsuki laughs slightly and leans back in her chair with a slight blush on her cheeks. "And? How was it?" Asks Sakura, wiggling a little with her eyebrows. "Well, he seems to have read the article from your date." Mumbles her collegue and Sakura stares at her friend in disbelief. “Don't tell me that he took you out mini golfing as well!” She exclaims, almost stunned. Natsuki laughs. "No, no. He took me out to bowling.” She explains with a wave of her hand. “He picked me up from home and we went there on foot. He showed me around for a while until we got to the bowling hall. There he led me to a part in the back. Nobody but the two of us was there and the train was also so kind of cute. Decorated with a string of lights and everything is really pretty. Unfortunately... I had never bowled before, so it kind of turned into an embarrassment." Reports the brunette a little dejected towards the end. Sakura smiles encouragingly at her, while the Hondo just groans in agony. “I did a pretty bad job there. He had to teach me first. It was so embarrassing!” The Hondo holds her hands in front of her face.
"I think it's cute that he had to show you first. At least that way you could get closer to one another. In addition, men always find it great when they have to explain something to a woman. And when we act a bit stupid, most of them find it cute, too. Not all of them, but still most of them." Explains the Haruno calmly and smiles encouragingly at her friend. “How did it go on?” She then asks excitedly and looks expectant at her colleague to continue. “We ate at the bowling alley and then he took me home. He said goodbye and left. It didn't seem to me as if he thought it was cute or something like that." The Hondo says dejectedly, taking a pause before continuing. "And he certainly doesn't want to see me again either!" The green eyed woman sighs softly. Men are such idiots! "Nonsense! I'm sure he'll get in touch. Otherwise he's an idiot and doesn't deserve you at all." The Haruno smiles encouragingly. She said so, because she actually has the feeling that this Takumi guy is serious about Natsuki and her feelings almost never fail her. "Do you think so?" The brunette looks up uncertainly. "Of course. Men are idiots. I know it. I married one and he admited it himself!” Sakura explains with a grin to cheer her friend up. She stands up, smiling slightly. "Everything will be fine.” She says one last time and walks towards the door. "I'll get us some tea." Is the last thing Sakura utters, before she leaves the office and closes the door again. She didn’t take more than three steps, when a man with a bouquet of flowers came out from the main hallway. A smile steals itself on her lips when she sees who is approaching her. Speaking of which! "Hello mr. Takumi." She greets the man which she is walking past. "Hello." He greets back a little shyly if not even a bit insecure. "Natsuki is in the office." She explains and points to said door with an encouraging smile, before she walks down the hall and towards the kitchen.
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Awaiting, Sasuke leans back in his armchair. His gaze lays on his father, who is sitting across from him on one of the two guest armchairs. His father wanted to talk to him and Itachi and that’s why they are waiting for the older heir to arrive as well. "Have you already thanked Sakura?" Fugaku explores to pass the waiting time. "What for?" His son asks back, a little surprised about his fathers sudden question. "That she took care of you." The older of the two explains calmly, making his son raise an eyebrow in confusion. "I thought that you released her for it?" "Yes." Fugaku laughs immediately, "But she could have simply seen the time as a vacation and spent it as such, instead of taking care of you." Sasuke looks silently at his fathers smiling face, before letting out a soft sigh. "No, I haven't yet." He mumbles truthfully and runs his fingers through his hair. In the elevator he had told her that he’s okay again only because of her, but that can be hardly called a proper thanks after all. “Buy her something. Anything. It doesn't need to be anything outstanding. It will be perfectly enough as long as it shows your appreciation." Fugaku explains to him with a smile and supports himself on his left elbow, after he has leaned comfortably back in the chair.
Sasuke hums thoughtfully at his fathers words. Nothing outstanding, but still enough to show his gratefulness and appreciation. After a moments thought, he turns to his desk and reaches for his smartphone to unlock its screen and scrolls through his contact list, until he finally finds and dials a number. “Yamanaka here, hello.“ A female voice sings happily into the line. "Hello Ino. Can you do me a favor?“ Asks the youngest Uchiha, amused by the good mood of his wife's best friend. "Oh, hello Sasuke! But of course i can! What is it that you need?” He hears the sing-song voice of the blonde. “Can you put together a bouquet for Sakura? As a thank you.“ The black haired man explains with a smile, watching his father smile as well. "A bouquet of flowers as in, thank-you-for-nursing-me-back-to-health?“ The Yamanaka continues to hum and he can hear her fiddling in the background. "Exactly." He responds, amused. “Should I add blue roses? I still have some left.“ Asks the blonde casually, surprising him a little. "Blue roses?" He repeats, curious as to why she was asking. “It’s Sakura's favorite flowers.“ The blonde woman explains with a giggle, making him smile warmly. “Definitely.” He then answers her previous question, hearing her hum as if nodding in response. “Will you pick up the bouquet, or should I hang a card on it and have it delivered to the office?” Ino continues to hum, while he can hear the sound of scissors in the background. "Please have it delivered to her." The Uchiha asks of her. With all the work to do, he will probably not be able to get it himself and besides, like that it would be an even bigger surprise for her. “Okay. Hope to see you again soon!“ He hears her say. A typical phrase from her to her costumers. "Thanks Ino. Bye.“ The Uchiha exclaims before hanging up and putting his smartphone back on his table. “Blue roses, huh?” He whispers with a gentle smile, before looking back at his father.
“Blue roses?” Fugaku asks, confused. "Sakura's favorite flowers." His son smiles slightly at him. "Blue?" The older one explores again, making him chuckle. "Her favorite color." Sasuke explains with a shrug of his shoulders. One more thing he learned about his wife. His father nods, before a brief knock on the door breaks in the conversation. "Hey little one. You are really well again." Itachi greets his little brother happily, while coming into the room. "As you can see." The only dark grey eyed man in the room replies, since Itachi inherited his brown eyes from their father. "Before we start, i wanted to tell you both that Misuki and I have something to say to you and would be delighted if you, including Sakura, of course, would honour us for dinner today." Itachi announces and looks back and forth between his brother and father for a moment. "Sure, no problem. We would love to come." Sasuke nods, amazed at his brothers sparkly appearance. "Of course i'll come too. It has been a while since our last gathering anyway." Fugaku too nods with a smile at him. "Nice. Then we can start.” Exclaims the older of the brothers, seemingly delighted. Somehow, Itachi looks so bright today and Sasuke really is interested what this is all about. However, sadly he will have to submit himself back to work instead for now. "What is it all about?" Asks the youngest of the Uchihas and rises to sit down with his family members on the couch of his office, with Sasuke sitting on the couch, Itachi on the upholstered armchair to the right and his father right next to him.
"I replaced you last week and did your job, to make sure that productions won’t get delayed and end up getting you into problems and longer working hours again." Begins the father of the two. “However, i am not surprised that you have overworked yourself to this degree, with all the work that you have taken onto yourself.” Explains Fugaku further, the concern visible in is eyes, before he continues to explain his discovering. “I only did half of your daily work during the whole week and still I always got out of here way too late. The amount of work you have been shouldering is simply too much for one person to handle.” Itachi nods in agreement to his fathers words, intending to say something as well. “We wanted to talk to you because of that and want you to think about which work you can give to whom and how. If necessary, we will even hire a few more people for it.” He explains matter of factly. Understanding, Sasuke nods and looks down at the coffee table in front of himself. "I understand that you have to be the one who controls the drafts and sketches yourself, but besides that you should perhaps only deal with the reports, if at all, before a meeting or something similar." Continues his father. “Sasuke, you have to share your work. Give them to the department heads, because otherwise they will have too less work, while you keep getting overworked. There needs to be a balance. Also, durning my stay here i noticed this Kaseguchi woman. She’s a big example for this. While everyone works properly and stays until end of work, that woman does rather too less and not even properly and goes home sooner than everyone else. You need to balance this out somehow.” Explains the oldest between the three, watching his youngest son look at him in silence. Sasuke doesn’t show it, but internally he’s letting out a deep sigh. And then there is that woman. Even his father noticed her weak performances and that only in a time span of a week. That woman is seriously going on his nerves. But he of course understands what his father was trying to say too.
Fugaku sighs out at the silence, before he starts to talk again. "Look. You need a few breaks between work. Especially if a job takes longer than planned, you need a break and especially be able to have your lunch in peace. Because that is important. Even if you just go out to have a coffee or tea or something like that..." Explains Fugaku, still a little worried about his son. "Or ask Sakura to come to your office for a quickie." Itachi suddenly adds with a grin, risking Sasuke smacking the back of his head with full force. "Idiot, we don't do that!" Sasuke growls and glares at his big brother through his darkish grey eyes, while watching his head flying forward from the impact. “You shouldn't even think about that!” Fugaku complains with a scowl towards his older son, unable to believe what he just said so casually into the round.
~> * <~
Music is playing softly in the office, since the two young women have decided to replace the silence with music during working hours. The Haruno sighs slightly and rests her right elbow on the table top and her chin on her fisted hand. Her attention fixed on the drawing in front of her, as she holds the pencil in her left hand and lets it swing back and forth between her fingers. after a while of thinking, Sakura turns her gaze out of the window. The clouds have cleared and bright sunshine is illuminating the city. “That guy was really right!” It escapes her lips, a little incredulous. "Hm? What guy?“ It comes back a bit confused from Natsuki and looks up from her work. "Those from the radio claimed this morning that the weather would be nice and i didn't quite want to believe that." The Haruno waves off with a smile. Natsuki lets out a short giggle when suddenly they get interrupted by a knock on the door. "Come in." She exclaims surprised. The door is opened carefully and a huge bouquet of flowers appears in it. Confused, Natsuki and Sakura look at each other. "Good day, is ms. Haruno present?” A man asks as he steps in and comes closer. "Uhm, yes?" The green eyed woman stands up and looks surprised at the delivery man and then at the bouquet in his hand. The man gives her a friendly smile, before he gives her the large bouquet. "This is for you." "Thank you." She utters back in astonishment. Never did she expect someone to buy her flowers. "I wish you a nice day, miss." The man politely grabs his cap and then leaves the office, just as quickly as he had come. Natsuki gets up immediately, closes the door and approaches her friend, to look at the flowers. “It's so beautiful!” She almost squeaks out at the sight. Sakura in the other hand looks at the bouquet of white lilies carefully, as well as white and red roses with a few blue ones in between. “Blue roses! They're so pretty!” The brunette exclaims completely head over heals. "My favorite flowers." The pink haired mumbles enchanted. "Where do you get those from? Who send you those?” The Hondo explores excitedly. With a smile, Sakura now searches the bouquet for a card or something similar, before reading the inscription of it. "Thank you for nursing me back to health." She reads on the small white card, before her heart skips a slight beat. "The bouquet is from Sasuke." She then notes with surprise. “So cute! It seems that everything is alright between you two again." The brunette observes with a relieved smile, watching her pink haired friend smile with a slight blush. "Yes. yes, everything is okay now." The pink haired woman answers with a smile and looks around for a vase. "Here, you can use this one. Just let me go and fill in some water.” Natsuki says, while pulling out a vase from one of the cupboards. "Thank you." It comes quietly from Sakura and watches her leave the office, before her eyes move back to the bouquet, which was clearly put together by Ino. A soft blush settles on her cheeks, when she realizes that he really got her her favourite flowers, wondering where and when he learned about her favourite flowers. He bought her flowers. This fact kind of makes her happy. He never did so before.
Smiling, Natsuki comes back after a while and puts the vase on the sideboard, to the left of the door, where Takumi's bouquet is also standing. "Yours is a lot bigger." Natsuki states after Sakura put the bouquet into the large vase, only to turn all of a sudden around to look at the clock and walks towards her belongings. "I have to go now. Takumi is waiting." She squeaks hastily and quickly packs her handbag before she walks out the door. "And let him finally kiss you!" Sakura quickly calls after her with a laugh, before shaking her head, looking from the bouquet to the bright blue sky and then to the clock on the wall. "12:08pm. Time for lunch." She says with a hum and reaches for her smartphone and the bag with the Bentō. Just like the brunette a few minutes ago, she leaves the office and closes the door behind her. Going through the hallway and towards Ayame's office. She enters said room and smiles briefly at the older woman, before she goes on and towards Sasuke's door. She knocks on it briefly and opens it when she is asked in. "Hey." She says as she enters the office and closes the door behind her again. "Hey." Sasuke smiles back and leans back in his armchair. “What are you doing here?” He explores, curious. "Take care of your health." He hears her explain and watches her hold up her bag. "It’s time for lunch. I will just quickly warm up my food. Do you want me to warm up yours too?” She looks at him questioningly, making him smile. "Sure, why not." The Uchiha nods and hands her his box from his own bag.
Smiling, Sakura takes it from him and leaves the office to warm up the food in Ayame’s small, hidden kitchen, only to return to the office with the food boxes a few minutes later. Startled when she doesn’t find her husband on his chair at his desk, she looks around the large office, until her eyes catch him sitting on the couch, two glasses already standing there filled with ice tea. "Come here." She watches him pat on the cushions next to him, as she approaches him and lets herself sink onto the couch next to him. "Thank you for the flowers, Sasuke." She smiles at er husband, while she hands him his box. "You're welcome." He replies gently and gives her cheeks a short caress with his thumb, before picking up the chopsticks. “What were they for?” She explores as if not knowing it’s reason, making him look back at her a little confused. "Thank you so much for your effort last week." He explains to her, moving a bit closer to her. "Wasn't there a card or something?" She smiles gently at him as she lifts a piece of meat to her mouth. “So, does that mean I won't get a bouquet every week now?” It comes from her, with a hint of disappointment in her voice. Sasuke smiles and shakes his head. Of course she saw the card. She is just playing around a little. "Such a pity. I thought you became a romantic and want to spoil me." She hums with a pout and takes some of the rice, making him smile. However, she doesn’t really take notice of it.
“And did you sort everything out together? What was so important this morning, that your father needed to speak to you so urgently?” The young woman explores after they ate their lunch and leans on his shoulder. “Nothing important. Just talked with him and Itachi about work.” He explains briefly, as he wants to keep it a secret for now. He wants to surprise her when he comes home earlier today. “Oh yeah, there’s also this. Itachi and Misuki invited us for dinner and said they want to tell us something.” He then includes in his explanation. Surprised, but also visibly delighted, she look up at him to give him a nod. “That’s nice. I was never at their home before.” She then replies with a smile and takes a sip of her drink.
~ > * < ~
The Uchiha quietly closes the door of his car with a sigh. Ever since the sun came out in the morning, it has been shining constantly and made him sweat a lot. Even though it's not more than 15 degrees, it’s still incredibly warm under the sun. But it's only a matter of hours, if not minutes, until the sun leans back towards the horizon and gives way to the night again. Who would have thought that the news this morning would turn out right? To his own surprise, he left the company quite early that day and made a short trip into town to get something. Going up the few steps to the front door, which he opens quietly, he peels himself out of his jacket and shoes just as quite and undetected. He does everything as quietly as possible, in hope that Sakura won’t notice him, so that he can surprise her. He puts down his car keys and puts his empty Bentō box into the kitchen, before he looks for the small box that he got in town. But before he goes to her, he quickly goes upstairs and into the bedroom, washing his hands and afterwards picks out a jeans and a fresh shirt, to quickly take off the suit and put on the clothes he just put together. When he has changed, he looks for a sweater from the closet, which he takes downstairs with himself.
Searching, he looks around for his wife next, whom he finds on the couch in the living room. With her back facing him, as she seems to be reading a magazine. He approaches her silently and when he arrives right behind her, he reaches out for her head and puts his hands over her eyes. He leans forward, smiling slightly. "Sasuke?!" She gasps surprised and takes his hands in hers and from her eyes to turn around to him with a smile. “What are you doing here?” She asks in disbelief. "Since my father replaced me, he took off some of my work. In other words thanks to him i could come home earlier." He explains to her and bends down to kiss her forehead.
Now he takes out the little box which he got in town and holds it in front of his wife’s eyes. "Are you going to spoil me after all?" She asks with amusement and takes the small box with the chocolates. "No, that's just another little thank you." Sasuke says with a smile and sits down next to her.
"What do you have there?" He explores interested, when he notices that there are letters on her lap rather than a magazine. She follows his gaze to the letters. "I'm just going through our mail." She explains calmly and opens the box of chocolates. "I see. I thought those were letters from admirers." He growls softly, but as soon as he realizes that, he quickly tries to cover it up with boredom. “Anything special?” He asks instead and looks out to the garden. She just smiles, chooses one of the chocolates and lets it disappear into her mouth. “Would letters from admirers make you feel jealous?” She inquires and looks for another chocolate from the box. "Only if you read it." The Uchiha grumbles and looks at the praline with the dark chocolate, which his wife is holding in front of his lips. He opens his mouth and lets her put the piece of chocolate on his tongue, quickly closing his mouth before Sakura can pull out her finger, which he gently holds with his teeth. Sakura lets out a squeal and tries to pull her finger out of his mouth, however, he doesn’t let her. "Sasuke what is that supposed to mean?" She squeals further, although she cannot suppress a laugh either. He loosens his teeth from her finger and begins to suck on it, as he gets closer and closer to her. Laughing softly, she lets herself fall back and on the couch, letting him climbs over her, while still sucking on her finger. "Why would it make you jealous?" She asks him instead, watching him release her finger and eating the praline in his mouth and moves down to her face.
"Because you are my wife." He smiles at her and approaches her right ear, into which he gently blows his answer. The Haruno squeaks again and tries to escape from him. “No Sasuke! Don't whisper into my ear!” She whines, because she doesn't like it at all. He looks a little surprised into her face. With narrowed eyes, she tries to turn her head away, before he already approaches her face again, moves from her chin up to her ear with the tip of his nose and then upwards the skull a bit. She lets out a low whimper, in fear that he will blow into her ear again. He moves the tip of his nose along her cheekbone to her nose, on which he then presses a kiss. She carefully opens one eye and when she sees him smiling, she opens the second one as well. "You're so mean!" She then complains to him with a pout. He grins and kisses the tip of her nose once more, as she sticks out her tongue at him. Smiling, he aims for her lips next. However, he doesn’t expect her to turn away her head, making him kiss her cheek instead. “No, you won’t get a kiss! You were mean!" She utters with a pout and turns on her stomach to press her face into the seat’s cushion. "I want one." He just says with a smile and breathes a kiss on the back of her neck, on her spine, and back up to her ear. "No!" Sakura muffles into the pillow. He just grins at her pouty behaviour and puts his arms under her stomach, pulling her with him and makes her sits on his lap. "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” He demands with a low and hot voice, trying to get closer to her lips. "No." She replies stubbornly and Instead, just picks up one of the letters and opens it with her little finger. While Sasuke continues to try to steal a kiss from her, she takes the card out of the envelope and examines it before unfolding it.
"What do you have there?" He asks and puts his chin on her shoulder. "An invitation to a gala." The pink haired replies confused. "Christmas gala?" He explores and presses a kiss on her neck again. "Yes." She replies briefly, before she continues. "but why do we get an invitation?" Sasuke lets go of her neck for a moment, to give her a smile. "Welcome to my world. My family goes to this and a few other galas every year.” He explains to her and then goes back on kissing her skin again. “I think Ryosuke is always there too. Has he never taken you with him?” The black haired man asks now and puts his chin back on her shoulder again. Sakura shakes her head. "Up to our wedding, many didn't even know that I exist." "But now all of Japan knows." He smiles and presses a kiss on her cheek. She nods silently, while he takes a look at the clock. "Okay then, we have to go too." He sighs and loosens his arms from her stomach so that they can stand up. “I'm not giving up on the kiss yet!” Murmurs the Uchiha in addition and grins slightly as she gets up from his lap. "You can try your luck." It comes from her as she giggles teasingly at him and walks towards the living room door. "You'll see!" He replies only to follow her up the stairs.
He slips into his sweater and then into a black leather jacket. “It’s rare to see you being so handsome.” Murmurs the pinkette as she slips into her trench jacket and wraps a scarf around her neck. Her husband looks at her in surprise as she gets into her high heels and opens the door. "You think I'm handsome?" He explores with a slight grin. "Possibly." She replies with a shrug and walks towards the car. Sasuke locks the front door behind him and unlocks his car. As he approaches the car, his wife gets in and immediately fastens her seatbelt. With a small sigh, he sits down on the drivers seat and closes the door. “What does ‘possibly’ mean?” He asks, fastening his own seat belt as well. "Maybe better in jeans than in work suits." She explains and looks around at him. "Is that so? Does that mean you find me ugly in work clothes?" He asks with a soft laugh. “No, but it makes you look like a boring workaholic. Jeans suit you more.” Another laugh escapes his lips as a wide grin forms on his lips. She notices also how he comes closer again, quickly pulling away from him "Forget it." She suddenly exclaims and laughs when he grumbles disappointed and starts the engine. He drives silently down the driveway and out of their property. The minutes pass in silence during their way to Itachi’s mansion.
"Tell me." The Uchiha breaks the silence after a while, making her turn back to him with a questioning hum. “I'm not allowed to do any exerting activities yet.” He begins and she nods in confirmation. "But we can still have fun, right?" He explores. "Yes. Depends on what kind of fun you’re talking about though." She nods again, making him smirk, but continue to talk. “In addition, it should be really warm again at the weekend, with summer temperatures.” He continues and makes his wife raise an eyebrow skeptically. "Possibly." She replies, confused, because she can't really figure out what exactly he wants from her. "Will you go out with me on Saturday then?" He asks, looking at her when he has put the car to a stop at one of the red lights. She smiles when she finally understands what he was trying to get at and nods. "Will you tell me this time where we're going?" She now asks, but just gets a no in response. "Okay." Sakura then answers with a sigh. So, he will play the mysterious guy again, huh? The black haired man grins again with slight amusement and concentrates again on the road and the way to his brother.
Half an hour later he steers the car into a driveway, noticing his wife looking around with interest, but because of the darkness that has already set in, she can only see outlines that represent the garden. The car stops and the Haruno looks at the villa in front of her, which in her opinion resembles an old ruler's estate in terms of architecture. Only smaller and more modern. She gets out of the car in amazement. "Dad doesn't seem to be here yet." Sasuke notes and steps up next to her, his hand closing around hers and pulls her with him towards the brightly lit entrance, where he rings the bell and a minute later Itachi opens the door. "Hello. I'm happy that you two came!” He greets the two with a smile. "Thanks for the invitation." She then greets him back and enters the house. She looks around the entrance hall, completely amazed, while Sasuke also enters the house, watching his wife as she looks around the house. "Misuki should come soon too.” Itachi explains and takes the jacket from his brother. Smiling, Sasuke shakes his head and walks up to his wife, puts his arms around her from behind and opens her jacket. "Hey! What are you doing?” She exclaims, startled, and looks down at his arms. "Taking off your jacket, obviously." He explains and pulls it off her shoulders to hand it to his brother. Itachi laughs and hangs the jacket on the cloakroom. Torn out of her amazement, Sakura now also takes off her shoes. "Hello! Thank you so much for coming!” Misuki suddenly shouts and comes down the stairs.
"Hello Misuki." The Haruno smiles and greets her with a hug. "We haven't seen each other for a long time." The brunette woman smiles happily. "I know. Not since the company party!" "Hello." Sasuke now too greets his sister in law, when she looks and waves towards him. "You look great. So unfamiliar.“ Itachi notes after a moment and examines his brother again, who just growls and pulls his wife back into his arms. "She's already said that." It comes from the younger of the brothers, watching his wife look over her shoulder in surprise. Quickly he tries to take his opportunity and comes closer to her to steal a kiss, but she turns her face away again, making him kiss her cheek. "No!" It comes from her with a huff, as she already releases herself from his grasp again, takes two steps away and instead continues to examine the hall and the pictures. “You have never been here before.“ Misuki notes and stands next to Sakura, who nods at her statement. "I'll show you the house until Fugaku has arrived." She then suggests to her sister in law and animates her to follow her up the stairs.
“What was that just now?” Misuki asks with an amused smile. "He doesn't get a kiss as a punishment." Sakura shrugs his shoulders calmly. “What are you punishing him for?” The brunette woman continues to explore in confusion. What could he have possibly done to her that she refuses him this hard? "He was teasing me." The pink haired woman says only briefly as they enter a room and Sakura looks around with interest once again. "This is the music room." Smiles the brunette woman. "Do you play the piano?" Inquires Sakura when she sees one in the room. “No, Itachi does. I play the violin.” Reports Misuki. The green eyed woman smiles and follows her sister in law out of the room. "Here we have Itachi's office." "Does Itachi spend so much time inside?" Sakura looks up at her questioningly, watching Misuki shake her head with a giggle. Understanding, the pink haired nods and leaves the room again. "Otherwise there is actually only a bathroom and our bedroom." The brunette explains, while she opens said doors and Sakura only looks around briefly so as not to sniff around in their private room too much. "And lastly, two guest rooms." Misuki explains and opens the door across from the bedroom. "Although this is going to be rebuilt soon." She explains as a happy smile pulls on her lips.
“I have to say, Misuki. You are quite sparkly today. You look totally happy and your outfit is very pretty too.“ Notes the Haruno as they leave the room again. The brunette in front of her is wearing a white dress, reaching to her knees and a longer blazer over it, which also extends to the middle of her thighs. "Thank you Sakura." Misuki's cheeks turn red as she looks embarrassed at the floor. "Itachi really seems to make you happy a lot." The Haruno comments with a smile. "Yes, he does and I am sure that Sasuke will make you happy too.” The older of the two says with a nod of her head "Do you think?" Sakura asks a little uncertainly and follows her friend down the stairs. "Oh yes! You already look quite happy whenever you two are together, besides, Sasuke is very different with you. It will happen. I highly believe in in it." Misuki smiles sincerely and stops. "Apart from this. Look how he looks at you.“ The brunette tells as her gaze is directed through a half open door into a room, in which Sasuke and Itachi are standing and talking to each other, while the younger one pays his attention to his wife and a slight smile steals onto his lips.
The two women then move away and leave his field of vision. When Itachi looks around at what his brother was looking, he can only see Sakura disappearing behind the door. "Tell me, little one." He begins and waves the glass in his hand. "Hm?" Sasuke growls and looks back at him. "Are you already feeling symptoms of love?" Itachi explores and looks at his brother, as he seems to have startled “What?” Itachi smile at his reaction, before he explains himself. "Joy when you see her, tingling on your skin, palpitations, longing to be close to her." Itachi gives a few examples. "No." his little brother replies briefly. "And have you settled this distancing problem?" The older Uchiha changes the subject at his rather harsh reply, watching him nod once. This time not so straightforward like the previous answer. "Will you tell me what it was about?" His big brother continues to explore. “No.” The younger one shakes his head with a smile, making him sigh. "Man, I'm really jealous of Sakura sometimes." He says afterwards, making Sasuke snort in amusement. "Why?" He explores with interest. “You were nice to her from the start. You aren’t even that nice to me. You're so different with her. You always look like that when she's around.” Itachi explains with a low grumble.
Sasuke looks confused at his brother. "What nonsense are you talking about?" He asks suspiciously. “You don't even notice it yourself, but you're different with her. Look at you. You even smile at her nonstop and laugh around her so freely. You barely to never do that around us." Itachi explains with a knowing smile. “You are so lucky to have her, Sasuke. She's the only one who can ever make you as happy as Misuki makes me happy. Don't screw it up!” Sasuke snorts with a shake of his head at his brothers dramatic words. "What did she say about you coming home earlier from now on?" Itachi continues the conversation. “I haven't told her yet. I wanted to surprise her." Reports Sasuke with a shrug of his shoulders. "I see. And how is it going between the two of you now?” Itachi keeps asking without a pause. "We're trying to have a relationship." Explains Sasuke and takes a few steps across the room. "So that's why she didn't want to be kissed!" Itachi then exclaims with a laugh, as if something dawned on him. The younger one snorts in response and rolls his eyes, as a door opens. "That's because he was mean to me." Sakura replies with a smile. “And that is the dining room, with a connecting door to the living room.” Misuki explains next to her with a smile.
Itachi laughs, but gets cut off when the doorbell suddenly rings. "Sasuke. You're not supposed to be mean to your wife." He just tells his younger brother as he approaches the front door to open it. "Hello Dad." The older brother greets his father and lets him step in. Sasuke looks sullenly at his wife, who just comes up to him smiling innocently and caresses his cheek. "Hello Fugaku." Misuki greets her father in law happily, who gives her a warm hug and then comes up to the two youngest in the room. "Hello, you two." He smiles and hugs his youngest daughter in law. "Hi Dad." Sasuke says with a slight smile. "Hello." Sakura then greets him as well, when she has separated from him. "So what is so important?" The youngest Uchiha turns to his brother questioningly. “Now, now, wait for the food, kid. Since when are you so impatient?" Itachi replies with a smile and leaves the foyer. Misuki in the other hand smiles apologetically and follows him. Sighing softly, Sasuke goes into the living room and sinks down on the couch, followed by his father and wife. “Fugaku, I think you can assist Sasuke more often. He was at home shortly after me today.“ The young Haruno breaks the silence between them. "Oh really, is that so?" The addressee smiles questioningly. Sakura nods and sits down on her husband's lap. "Dinner needs another 10 minutes." Itachi's voice sounds from the back when he and his wife entered the room.
Surprised, Sakura looks at her sister in law. “You don't cook yourself?” Misuki blushes slightly as she shakes her head in embarrassment. "I can not cook at all. That's why we have a housekeeper." Admits the brunette, with her head held down. "Yes, we prefer to enjoy the time that she is not in the kitchen." Itachi gently puts his arm around his wife and presses her to him. She looks up almost shyly and he presses a kiss on her forehead. Smiling, Sakura looks around at her father in law. He's smiling but somehow he seems sad. "It's nice to see you all so happy." He then says and gets everyone's attention. Everyone realizes that at this moment he misses his wife infinitely. "We are the only ones who are happy!" Itachi comments to his fathers words. "Sasuke isn’t even allowed to kiss Sakura because he was mean to her." The youngest Uchiha looks angrily at his brother, while Fugaku just laughs. "What loves, that teases, doesn't it?" The oldest in the round replies and makes Itachi and Misuki laugh too. "Sorry. We aren’t that far yet." Sasuke grumbles. "Yes, because you work all the t-." Sakura Beginns, but gets stopped as she’s squirming on the couch, laughing, as she gets tickled by her husband mercilessly. “It's time you change that Sasuke.” Fugaku smiles at his younger son, watching the cute scene unfold in front of his eyes. The youngest Uchiha lets go of his wife and looks back at his father. "That's why you spend a lot of time in the evening to give her hickeys, don’t you, Sasuke?" Itachi exclaims with a wide grin.
Sasuke snorts at his brother, while Fugaku watches his sons and daughters in laws with a warm smile on his face. "Poor Sasuke." Sakura murmurs and strokes her husband's hair pityingly. "Do you want a kiss?" She says and looks at him questioningly. Immediately he turns to her and looks her over briefly to know beforehand whether this should be a joke, but when he doesn't see anything that would indicate it, he leans over to her. A grin forms on her lips as she backs away until she slips onto the couch. "He's really longing for her kisses." Laughs Itachi, satisfied with the scene in front of him. Because no matter what the two keep saying and denying their suspicions, something is going on between them and his mother seems to have already noticed it from the beginning. Sasuke snorts again and straightens back up. "Do you know what he said this morning?" He asks and looks at his wife, before he smirks revenging at his brother. "That I should take time to have a quickie with you in my office." Explains the youngest Uchiha. Fugaku laughs again while Sakura scowls dangerously at her brother in law. Surprised by the sudden turn, Itachi opens his mouth before a loud clap sounds through the room and he holds the back of his head. “What was that for now?” Itachi asks his wife, stunned. "Keep your perverted fantasies to yourself!" She too growls at him. "Apart from that, it's none of your business what your brother does in his office!" "I'll go look after the dinner." The older brother says with a pout, when he sees that the tables turned on him and leaves the room, while Misuki smiles apologetically at her brother and sister in law.
"So actually, we should be even now." Says the youngest Uchiha and looks at his wife. "Yes, you are right, we are even." She smiles and is pulled by him onto his lap. "So do I get a kiss now?" He explores happily. "No." she shakes her head. "Why not?", Sasuke raises an eyebrow questioningly. "If I keep giving you what you want, you will be totally spoiled when you grow up." She says and then giggles. "Sakura." Sasuke growls as his fingers run dangerously over her stomach, making her squeak. “No!” She pleads and hugs around his neck, making her husband laugh. Misuki and Fugaku smile knowingly. "The food is ready. Let's go to the dining room." Itachi enters the room and watches his father stand up. They already move towards the dining room, while Sakura still sits on her husbands lap. “Come on Sakura. Dinner." Sasuke says and watches his wife nod. "Yes." Fugaku, Itachi and Misuki stop by the door and look at them. "I have to get up for that." The youngest Uchiha replies to his wife. “Are you sure about that?” She grins questioningly, making him laugh. “Yes, I am.” He nods. "Okay." Says the Haruno, lets go of him and goes to her in laws, only to turn back to him with a grin.
“Sasuke, what do you take so long? We want to eat." But to her surprise, he smirks back. "I would be careful if I were you. Don’t forget we are going home after all this." The pink haired woman sticks out her tongue, while the others already disappear into the dining room, so she too turn to go in. However, she doesn’t expect him to grab her hand and pull her back, to press his lips agains hers, making her gasp in surprise. He breaks the kiss with a smooch shortly after, to smirk at her blushing face. He could have done it earlier, but he wanted to weight her into safety to make her think that she has the upper hand. He can play dirty too after all. “You spoiled idiot...” it comes from her in a mumble, making him chuckle lightly. “Says the one who desperately wants to get spoiled with flowers every week. Besides, that wasn’t even a proper kiss yet.” Satisfied he watches her go a shed redder at his words and turn back around to finally go into the dining room. Sasuke too follows with a slight chuckle, where everyone sits down. Fugaku sits down at the front of the table and Sakura and Sasuke across from the hosts, of course the two gentleman help their wives with the chairs.
“Bon appétit.” Misuki smiles and picks up the spoon. "Bon appetit." The Haruno smiles too, before silence falls and everyone eats and enjoys their food. As the housekeeper clears the plates, Itachi stands up. "I'll get something to drink." He announced and follows the housekeeper out of the room. "Shall I teach you to cook?" Sakura suggests to her sister in law after a moment of silence, who smiles ashamed. "Do not make the effort. I'm a hopeless case.“ Waves the brunette with a shake of her head. "We can give it a try." Sakura winks encouragingly. Itachi enters the room again and pours everyone some wine and puts, with a knowing look at his brother, another bottle of Sprite on the table. While Sasuke reaches out for it to just fill another glass with the see through liquid instead, Itachi sits back down, while the housekeeper reenters the room, pushing a carriage on which the main course is standing. The woman serves everyone a plate and then withdraws again. "Enjoy." Itachi smiles and lifts his wine glass. The others at the table also lift their glasses and smile at each other.
“What about our bet on Naruto? Has something happened?” Fugaku finally explores and breaks the silence during the meal. “A bet?” Misuki explores in surprise and watches Sakura nod. "At the company party we did bet on how long it would take for Naruto and Hinata to become a couple." She explains and makes the situation clear to the brunette female in the round. Understanding, she nods. "Well, I haven't heard anything from them since the second date." Sasuke replies after thinking for a moment. “When was the second date?” Itachi inquires with interest. “Sometime around October 20th.” Reports the youngest Uchiha. "And what were your assumptions?" Misuki looks around asking questions. “Fugaku gave him 2 months. Me until the end of the year, Sasuke until January and Itachi half a year.” Sakura counts and states the assumptions to her. Misuki shakes her head with a smile and looks at her husband. "Everything is possible with that chaotic man!" He quickly says in defence and a grin settles on Sakura's lips.
"And now there is another dessert?" The pink haired woman inquires a few minutes later. "Is there even still room?" She asks to herself and rubs herself over her stomach before she smiles. "Yes, I think so." Sasuke mumbles after looking at her stomach. Smiling, she punches him on the shoulder, which doesn’t really seem to bother him. “Now, Itachi. You have kept us under suspicion long enough. Why did you want us to come here?” Fugaku redirects the subject. "Do you want, or should I?" The addressee just looks at his wife questioningly. Smiling, she leans over to him and whispers something in his ear, before he nods and looks back at his family. The two stand up. "Well, Misuki and I invited you because we want to announce something." The Uchiha begins and then looks at his wife, who clears her throat briefly and then looks around. A slight blush settles on her face as she smiles happily, making the interest grow. "It’s me." It comes from her lips. "I'm pregnant." For a moment Sakura looks at her sister in law in disbelief before she squeaks and gets up. "That's great! My congratulations!“ She squeals out in excitement and walks around the table to hug the brunette woman. "Then this guest room will be..." Sakura continues when she has released the hug. "A child's room, exactly." Misuki smiles and nods. Fugaku and Sasuke also rise. "Well done." The oldest Uchiha pats his oldest son on the shoulder. "Congratulations." Sasuke too smiles and offers his brother his hand. "Thank you." He murmurs, almost embarrassed, because of what his father said. "How many months is it already?" Sakura explores enthusiastically. "In the fourth." Misuki replies with a smile. "Then you already have a ball in December!" Smiles the pinkette. Misuki nods with a smile, while Sakura sits back down on her chair. She still has to process this great news. "We wanted to tell you last week, but after Sasuke collapsed, we wanted to wait until you feel better again." Misuki explains while the dessert is being served. “In any case, it is fantastic news and you both will definitely be great parents!” The Haruno girl exclaims happily.
~ > * < ~
Sighing softly, Sasuke locks the front door behind him. “Who would have thought the evening would turn out so long?” He mumbles to himself and slips out of his jacket. It is now shortly before midnight and the conversations about Misuki's pregnancy dragged on for some time before they finally said goodbye to each other. "Who would have thought that Misuki is pregnant." Sakura replies with a smile and slips off her shoes. Tired, she stretches briefly and then goes into the kitchen. "Do you want something to drink too?" She calls out to her husband from the kitchen. "Sure." He says and stops behind her, watching her pour iced tea into the glasses. "Here." She hands him one of the glasses and then walks out of the kitchen and up the stairs. Sasuke takes a sip of the drink and then follows her into the bedroom. "Winter is coming slowly." It comes from his wife as she pulls the curtain to cover the window. “That's the way it is.” Agrees the black haired man and puts his glass on his bedside table, to shortly go to the bathroom and wash his hands and face. Sighing, he peels off his blue sweater and gray shirt afterwards, pulling out a shirt from his wardrobe and pulls it over his head. His wife appears next to him to look for sleeping clothes from the wardrobe. She smiles slightly at him and then disappears into the bathroom, while he swaps his jeans with sweatpants and then closes the wardrobe again.
He collapses on his mattress and sets his alarm clock before turning on the light on his bedside table, the big light on the ceiling long since closed. The bathroom door reopens and Sakura steps out with a freshly washed face. The make up gone and her clothes swapped with her pyjamas. "I'm actually way too young to be an aunt." She suddenly sighs out and runs her fingers through her hair. "Actually, you are just the right age to have a child." Sasuke grins and walks towards the bed. She sighs again and falls onto the side of her bed. “How long have Itachi and Misuki been married?” She asks after a moment. "3 years, why?" Replies her husband a bit confused about her question. “So I have to have a baby in three years?” She asks, stunned. Sasuke laughs. "No. That has as much time as we need." He reassures her with a smile and sits down on his half of the bed. “One thing is certain.” She then says, making him look at her questioningly. "I will be a great aunt, but you, you will be a miserable uncle." She grimaces a little disappointed. A dark growl comes from Sasuke's lips and jump onto her. “I warned you!” Before she could understand what’s happening, she’s already letting out a loud scream.
The Uchiha threw himself at her in a flash and now presses her into the mattresses underneath him. "Now it's your turn." He now smiles and leans down to her. "I had to wait a whole week for that." He mumbles agains her lips, his breath already becoming heavier. "Do you think I'll let you?" She explores with a grin. "Oh, no, beautiful. Rather than that, you have no other choice." He grins and bridges the last few centimeters between them. Gently but firmly, he presses his lips on her warm and soft ones an he smiles and feels her kiss back without any resistance. This time, however, he makes sure that the kiss won’t end so soon. Kiss her properly, without anyone who could disturb them this time. If it hadn’t been for the place they had been in, he would have already kissed her senseless hours ago. Her arms move around his neck and he carefully puts his weight on her body. He gently loosens his lips and looks into her face. Since she has her eyes still closed, he grins and wanders to her neck, on which he spreads kisses, listening in to her giggle as she opens her eyes. "You know what's coming now." He grins at her. "Not if I can prevent it." She replies and pulls him back up to her lips. “It's no use.” He just laughs softly after breaking the kiss. She pushes out her lower lip with a playful pout. Too bad it doesn’t work on him. Smiling, he kisses her pouting lips, before biting and sucking it, letting it go again with a smooch. Kissing his way back down on her neck, he breathes a kiss on one spot and looks up at her again. "No protests?" He explores, a little surprised. "It's autumn, so I always wear scarves anyway." She smiles and lets her arms slip from his neck. Sasuke grins in response and kisses this spot again before he starts sucking on the skin. After a few minutes he lets go of her neck and kisses further down. His fingers gently run down her stomach to the hem. As he caresses her neck, he slips his hand underneath the fabric of her shirt. With a circular motion he lets his fingers wander back up to her bra where he stops and moves back down. Sasuke loosens his lips from her collarbone and looks up at her. A delightful smile lies on her lips while she has closed her eyes. He gently runs his finger over her armpit and then kisses her neck again. His lips travelling to her ear and down again. His hands find hers and crosses his fingers with hers, gently pulling her hand towards him and breathing a kiss on the back of her hand.
She opens her eyes again and looks at him. Her hands separate from his, watching him support himself on both sides next to her head. She gently runs her hands over his cheeks and through his hair. Smiling, he leans over to her and briefly holds still above her lips. They look each other in the eyes in silence until she lifts her head from the pillow, making him bridge the last few centimeters and put his lips back on hers, adding soft pressure on hers before he pokes his tongue against her lips. She doesn’t hesitate to let him in, eventually feeling him challenging her to a game. She gives in to the kiss with relish and presses herself close to her husband. Their kiss id deep and feverish and he likes it. Only after a while he dares to break the kiss, only to put more delicate kisses on her lips and turns over to pull her on top of him. Desiring and full of affection, he involves her again in a passionate play of tongues, feeling her press herself as close to him as possible, while he runs his hands underneath her shirt and strokes her spine. A sigh of pleasure escapes her, which makes a smile pull on his lips. He gently releases the kiss and sits up with her.
Sakura looks at him questioningly, while he just examines her face in silence. "You are so incredibly beautiful." He expresses his thoughts and brushes her hair out of her face. With his finger he runs over her right temple, with his thumb along her cheekbones and nose, then gently caresses her full lips. Sakura in the other hand blushes from the compliment and looks up at him shyly. His thumb runs over her lips again before he bends over and kisses this velvety soft skin. His hand rests on the back of her head and presses her lips against his. After a short time, he only releases the kiss to replace it with a more demanding one. His tongue penetrates her mouth and searches for hers, nudging her teasingly. Sasuke lets himself sink back into the pillow, without breaking the kiss, carefully rolling over and swaping places with her once again to squish her between himself and the mattress. He gently releases the kiss and smiles at her. A little tired she looks at him and runs through his black hair. "I missed you.” She suddenly mumbles at him at makes him stare into her eyes in confusion. "I wasn't gone to begin with." He replies quietly, before realizing what she really meant. “I'm sorry.” He whispers, watching her stick out her tongue. He laughs softly at her childish action. "I can do that too!" He grins and sticks out his tongue at her before losing himself in her eyes again. He gently bends over to steal another kiss from her and she gives in without hesitation. After a short moment he releases the kiss and breathes another one on her lips. “We should sleep. You are tired." He mumbles and kisses the tip of her nose, listening in to her soft hum as she lifts her head up to press herself against him. He smiles gently and turns back down on his back and pulls her into his arms.
Carefully pulling the blanket over each other, he lays back down on the pillows and examines her pink hair with a smile. Pressing a kiss on the top of her head, he finally closes his eyes as well.
