Paradox

04 - Family Reunion

It had been a rough night's worth of sleep. Sasuke had slept on the floor, while Naruto had found an old ratty sheet to sleep on the couch. He had complained of the smell, but still fell asleep, with loud snoring. Now, Sasuke regrets having them sleep in the same room. The boy stretched, seeing the sun rise over the trees surrounding the compound. He picked up his clothing, and found his way into another room to change. He avoided the glass as he was barefooted for the moment, but that was one of the first things he put on, his nose scrunching in disgust upon stepping upon the filthy floor. He might have to use the lake nearby to bathe, as water wouldn't run. Luckily, they had electricity.

Today, he would head out with Naruto and get some futons. That was one of his main priorities for the moment. He also wanted to speak to Sakura, having been able to think on what he could say to her, and to make promises that things won't end this way. He was already set that he would not become the monster that his future self had become. Still... He still needed to track down Itachi and end him, before they posed a threat to what he knows now will be his future family. Sarada would no doubt be hunted by that bastard.

Sasuke decided that while Naruto was sleeping, to head out and see Sakura. He placed the mask over his head, luckily it was clean, and headed out the door towards her apartment.

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By the time he had arrived, he saw the lights on within the house. Either her or her young daughter were awake. Still, the thought of Sarada existing was... something else. While the boy did not know what to think at this point, one thing for sure was that he needed to figure out what to do with the girl. He was sure that Sakura still wanted the girl to exist, but was it fair on her to do that? He would need to figure out a few things, including her birth date and what not. He made his way up the stairs, glanced in through the window. Talking to her, was a man who was heavily hooded. He was holding a cup, and was slowly sipping on it. Sakura seemed relieved to see him.

Sasuke wondered who this was. He could not pinpoint the man's chakra, but something almost seemed familiar in his posture. He was quite tall too.

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"How are you feeling about this?" Itachi asked, sipping his tea slowly.

He had come back to visit Sakura, as well as check on Sarada. While Itachi never interacted with the young girl, due to what had happened with the clan, he felt honoured to watch his niece grow. Still, after this, he would need to speak to Kakashi about Sasuke's current movements. Something was bothering him with the way he was moving. He was setting up for something big that was for sure. Itachi was sure that Sasuke had yet to notice him, but it still made him a bit nervous.

Sakura was leaning against the counter, one hand against the edge and the other holding her own cup of tea. Sarada had left for class early, to train with Boruto before they would meet their new teacher. She had passed the genin exams with flying colours, and Sakura was very proud of the girl, that was easy enough to see. Itachi was grateful that the girl would be no doubt extremely powerful in a few years, maybe she would be the one that would end up defeating her father if worst came to worst.

"I think... I'm doing as well as I can, with his reappearance..."

Itachi nodded slowly. He knew what had transpired. It was easy enough to tell. When he had heard of the young girl's birth, he had rushed to Orochimaru to regain his life. Apparently, the snake was curious as to what would happen. Still, Itachi was grateful, even if he was very irked by the hebi sannin.