Empty Eyes: The Sequel

Chapter 5

Someone gently shook my shoulder, waking me, and my eyes crept open to see Sasuke kneeling beside the bed. He was fully dressed. The fog of sleep faded, and I remembered that he and Sai were about to visit Kirigakure.

"You're leaving?" I asked as I sat up.

He nodded, leaning down to kiss me, "Stay out of trouble while I'm gone."

Still tired, I nodded and pulled him down for another kiss before letting him pull away, "Be safe, Sasuke. I'll miss you."

He made a sound that I understood was his way of returning the sentiment before turning and leaving the room. When I re-awoke a couple of hours later in the morning, I frowned when I opened my eyes and saw his side of the bed was empty. It always sucks when he's away.

As I got up to get dressed for the day, I wondered if he misses me quite as much as I miss him when we're apart. My face warmed as I recalled our actions last night. Even after all this time, I still get embarrassed when he teases me. It's unlikely I'll ever be unaffected by his charm, but that fact made me happy. I'd still love him more than life itself if the sexual tension between us wasn't as strong, but it made things more exciting.

Once ready for the day, I crossed the hall and knocked on my sister and Sai's door, "Ino, do you wanna visit Naruto today?"

The sound of her retching had me opening the door and peeking inside. Sure enough, she was knelt in front of the toilet in the bathroom. I shut the door behind me and came over to hold her hair out of her face, "Hey, I thought you were feeling better."

A sheen of sweat dusted her flushed skin as she gave me a weak look, "Me too."

She eventually gathered herself and freshened up before we headed downstairs for breakfast. At her request, I didn't say anything to anyone else about her still being sick because she didn't want anyone to fret over it.

After the meal, I helped Tenten clean up a bit before joining Ino to visit her shop. Her skin was a bit pale, but she hid it well with makeup. When we arrived, we were stunned to see our mother outside, watering the flower boxes in front of the building.

My sister and I shared a look before approaching, "Hello, Mother. How are you today?"

Mebuki Haruno turned to look at us when Ino's voice met her ears, her green eyes narrowing, "Don't call me mother."

I grit my teeth, "Fine. Mebuki, how are you?"

The woman turned to continue her task, "The lord has blessed us all with another beautiful day."

My sister wanted to wait until we could check out Sonokuni Village before bringing it up, but I was fed up with our mother's terrible behavior. "Have you ever heard of a man named Tenji?"

Ino gave me a stern look, but we both jumped slightly when our mom said oddly, "Yes...I believe I've heard that name before, but I can't recall where or when." Just like that, my eagerness to check out the lead Konan had given us multiplied by ten. Once Sasuke gets home, I'll have to try and convince him again to let us investigate.

Naruto and Kushina argued loudly when we entered the shop, while Hinata and Minato listened with red faces. "It's none of your business if we have children, Mom!"

"What do you mean it's none of my business? I'm your mother! I want grandchildren!"

"We're not even married yet! Can't you wait to start pressuring Hinata? You're gonna scare her away!"

"I just think you two will have such beautiful babies! Is that so wrong?"

Ino snickered, pulling the room's attention, "What an interesting topic to step in on."