Sakura-Hime

Chapter 23

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
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When Uchiha Sasuke entered the main house that night after hours of training, he wasn't expecting his father to be up, waiting for him. Uchiha Fugaku sat proudly at the head of the dinner table, a steaming cup of tea and a scroll resting in front of him.

"Otou-san."  Sasuke mumbled.

Sasuke and his father never really had a good relationship. Part of the reason being the fact that Fugaku had favored Itachi for most of Sasuke's young life. Sasuke's mother, Uchiha Mikoto, insists that this couldn't be further from the truth.

"I was informed that you were recommended to take the Chūnin exams" he started. Sasuke's gaze focused on his feet, curling against the hard wood floors, waiting for what was to come next.

He had expected his father begin ranting about how he wasn't ready. He was waiting for the inevitable comparisons to his brother Itachi, a constant reminder that he wasn't good enough.

"Well done."

That was definitely a surprise. Sasuke stared at his father. He was in a daze as his father continued to read through his scroll.

It was silent for a while. But as Sasuke watched as his father take another sip from his cup, a small smile slowly creeped onto the boy's face.

It was rare his father so openly praised him. He wouldn't admit, but these were among the moments he cherished most. Both men were the same in that sense.

There was the sound of feet coming down hallway, and then a voice. "Fugaku, could you help me with the- Oh, Sasuke you're home." His mother smiled. She held a laundry basket in front of her.

"Aa. I just got back from training." He told her, his smile never fading.

"Wait one moment, I'll go heat up some dinner for you." She moved to stand next to her husband. "Anata, would you be so kind and put the laundry away." She always used that sickeningly sweet, high-pitched voice whenever she wanted Fugaku to do something.

Fugaku grunted but did as he was told, picking up the basket on his way out of the room.

Both remaining occupants of the room had missed the smile that had snuck its way onto the Uchiha patriarch's lips. Yet another thing both men had in common. They shared the same smile.

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The next day, team seven met up for training. Sasuke and Naruto were sparring, Kakashi and Sakura had already finished theirs.

Sakura took her break under the shade of a nearby tree. She watched the boys' match, unintentionally analyzing their moves.

Kakashi came and stood next to her, this time reading from a green book instead of his usual orange one.

"New volume?" Sakura asked. The masked shinobi only nodded.

She chuckled and went back to watching the boys. Sasuke had just begun to make the hand signs for his goukakyuu no jutsu. Naruto began to wave his fists at him.

"Oi! We agreed we were only using taijutsu! That's cheating!" He screeched as he dodged the incoming ball of flames.

"In a real battle, you wouldn't agree to what can be used and what can't." Sasuke explained.

Naruto wasn't having any of it. "This isn't a real battle, Teme! You almost killed me!"

"If we're going to do well in these exams, we need to be ready for whatever they throw at us."

They continued to argue with each other as the other to members of the team watched.

"Is it me, or have they gotten worse lately?" Sakura asked.

"No, I've noticed it too. This could hinder your team work. It may even be your downfall." Sakura kept her focus on the two boys.

"How do you think we should fix this?" She asked.

Kakashi closed his book. "Hmm.. I have a few ideas." He smirked.

Sakura stared at him, confused.

Kakashi's eye closed in a smile.

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Uh oh. What's Kakashi's plan?
~littlebrownbean ☕️💛