The Heiress (UNDER REVISION UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE)

Domestic

Twenty year old Uchiha Sakura sighed as she watched the rain fall from their temporary hotel room's window. Despite having been sent to scout Amegakure several times already, she still wasn't keen on the village's depressing weather.

"Kura, I've got dinner," Takeshi called out as he entered the room. "Ryuu's patrol should have ended a few minutes ago. He should be back soon." He said as he laid the takeout boxes over the small table.

Finally turning her attention to Takeshi, the pinkette took note of his tired appearance. "Have you sent a letter to Hitomi?" She asked eager to set the tone of their conversation for a more relaxed topic.

Takeshi grinned as he took his long brown hair and tied it into a low ponytail, "Hitomi's parents are excited to celebrate Christmas with me." He shared as he sat down.

Sakura hummed, "That's in two months. I'm sure she must be excited to see you again." She smiled before she turned her attention to the opening hotel door.

"Man, the rain's not really letting up." Ryuu practically whined as he took off his jacket and shook his umbrella by the rack. "Some crazy weather shit." He mumbled before he joined the duo to sit down on the table.

Takeshi chuckled in amusement, "We were just talking about Hitomi, would you like to join us?"

Ryuu practically lit up, "Oh yeah! Hitomi's the one who made those heavenly cinnamon rolls, right? Man, you got a charming woman." He grinned, "That said, are you sure about your decision?"

Emerald eyes watched the brunette as he gathered his thoughts.

It wasn't a secret that Takeshi had decided to quit ANBU and retire to take a Genin squadron since he was finally settling down with a civilian. The missions Team Alpha took were just too life threatening and none of them had the heart to leave Hitomi with the burden of worrying for her future husband. This was Takeshi's last mission under ANBU, consequently Team Alpha's last mission together.

Other than Takeshi, Ryuu was being reassigned to the Fire Diamyo's Palace. The Snake Sannin's poison took a toll on his body. His immune system took a hit that left him more prone to infections than before. With a heavy heart, Ryuu decided to take the Sandaime's suggestion towards a safer environment that could still keep him busy.

Takeshi nodded, his face set with determination. "Of course! Plus, I've been in the field for far too long already. It was fun while it lasted, but maybe it's time for me to slow down and teach the younger generation." He said with a small smile.

Sakura offered him a smile of her own, "For what it's worth, you'll make a great teacher." She said.

Ryuu nodded in agreement, "Yeah, man! You were always the maternal figure of the team." He teased with a grin, "I'm sure your team will kick asses when they graduate from the Academy!"

"Whoever they may be." The pinkette added.

The brunette chuckled, "I'm just praying that I don't get a troublesome bunch. God knows how Shikaku – sensei was able to keep us alive back then."

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Sasuke frowned as he watched Naruto run towards an injured figure. He was pretty sure that they were classmates, but he couldn't care less about other people that he didn't have an ounce of respect. Honestly, why was he best friends with a loudmouthed blond with a bleeding heart?

"Hey, are you okay?" Naruto asked the smaller girl as he crouched in front of her. "Hey, I know you!" His blue eyes were wide with enthusiasm as he recognized her.

Sasuke felt his eye twitch in annoyance while he walked towards them. "Good to know that you still have some brain cells left, idiot." He commented as he took in the girl's bleeding wounds. They were only scrapes and a few bruises but damn, he didn't like bullies.

"Ignore the bastard, Hinata – chan." Naruto grinned before he took out a surprisingly clean handkerchief and offered it towards her, "Here. You need it more than I do."

"Y – You know me?" Hyuuga Hinata muttered in disbelief. Her face was red with embarrassment and her ears tinged pink.

"'Course I do! You sit behind me every year, 'ya know? Kinda hard not to know you." The blond grinned before he ushered the handkerchief closer to her, "Here. Sakura – nee once told me to always keep injuries clean before they get infected with germs, we should get those cleaned." He said with a dazzling smiled that left the poor girl star – struck.

'How oblivious is this guy?' The Uchiha thought as he rolled his eyes at them. It was clear as a day that the Hyuuga liked the blond despite his loud upbringing and less than polite vocabulary. "Oi, there's a fountain by the park that we can use to clean those." He said. After all, his sister raised him to be helpful and kind to others.

Hinata nodded before she slowly stood up with Naruto's help.

The trio made the short walk to the park and promptly helped the girl clean and bandage her scrapes with their small first aid kit.

"Phew!" Naruto grinned, "It's a good thing that Sakura – nee made us bring these first aid things everywhere." He exclaimed as he lightly gestured to his own pack that was similar to the Uchiha's.

"You're lucky my sister practically adores you, idiot." Sasuke grumbled as he gently patted some ointment on the girl's cuts. "And you, you should start standing up to those bullies. You're a Hyuuga, right? You're better than some lowly fangirls." He pointed out.

Hinata squeaked at his harsh compliment, "I – I'm not s – supposed to partake in v – violent activities."

"Hah?" Sasuke raised a brow, "We're going to be shinobi. How violent can we be?"

"Yeah! Plus, everyone has the right to defend themselves against bullies." Naruto supported.

"But... My father would get mad if I disgrace the clan." The girl mumbled, her silver eyes shifting to look at her lap.

Sasuke snorted, "Pretty sure you're sullying your clan by taking a beating instead."

Naruto gasped, "Sasuke! That was mean!"

"What it's true?" He rolled his eyes, "My sister would rather have me stand up against someone who's belittling me rather than shrug off the comments like they weren't affecting me."

Hinata titled her head in curiosity, who in their right mind would badmouth the Uchiha prodigy?

"You can't be someone's doormat when you should be a castle."

"I don't get it." Naruto pointed out with a whine, his hands reaching up to ruffle his blond hair. "Stop using smart people analogies. My brain can't process those kinds of stuff."

"Then get smarter, idiot."

Despite her rough situation, Hinata found it in her to smile in amusement as she watched the two best of friends argue. From what Sasuke was saying, she would rather like to meet his sister. 

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