As a heads up, this chapter will be in Sasuke's POV. If in Sasuke's POV I'll put a ◇ symbol.

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I stood beside (Y/N), as Naruto was telling her, her mission.

"You are to take out a pack of bandits that are rumored to be holding some traveling merchants hostage." He said and looked at her.

She smiled and nodded.

"Easy peasy." She said, confidence laced in her voice.

I held back a small chuckle, as I was familiar with that confidence. Back when we were kids. She always sounded so confident and was never scared, of anything that we faced.

Naruto then looked at me. "Everyone, I want to speak to Sasuke, privately." He said and then looked at (Y/N) and Shikamaru.

She shrugged and looked at me. "I'll wait outside so we can go and get Ai." She said. I nodded she left the room.

Shikamaru was about to object, but then shook his head and followed her.

I looked at Naruto. "Is there something you want?" I asked.

He nodded and gave a big, goofy smile.

"Tell me everything! About how you and (Y/N) are doing! Hinata told me she saw you and (Y/N) with Ai, and how adorable you two were!" He shouted, in joy.

"Be quiet, you're shouting."

He sighed and pouted. "Okay, okay."

"But, there is no we. I try to talk to her, but she denies talking to me unless Ai is talking to me or we're eating dinner." I said.

"Well, she has her reasons."

I looked him in the eyes. "What?" I asked.

He jumped and shook his head. "Nope! She's my cousin-in-law, and you should talk about it to her when she gets back." He said, before covering his mouth.

I thought for a bit and nodded. "Thank you, Naruto," I said and left his office.

(Y/N) was standing on the opposite side of the hallway facing the door.

"What were you and Naruto talking about?" She asked.

"Nothing. He just wanted to ask dumb questions."

"As usual." She chuckled and started to walk.

I walked behind her, as we were walking to the academy.

I watched as her hair, swayed as she walked. She held her head up high, only a few times I've seen her head down low was those moments were rare.

Those moments where we confided in each other.

Our fears. Our hatred. Our love.

"I'm scared of my fear Sasuke... My fear of not being able to do the best for my clan...Dishonoring my clan and being outcasted from my clan."

"God! I hate you Sasuke! I hate you so much! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you...!"

"Sasuke! Everyday! Every single day! When we are together when we are apart! My heart beats for you... My thoughts slowly go to you... I can't help but worry about you, cheer you on for your journey, but also love you for who you are... I love you Sasuke Uchiha!"

I let out a quiet sigh, which caused her to glance at me.

"What's wrong with you?" She asked.

I looked away. "Nothing, just thinking," I said.

"About?"

"If Naruto does his work."

She let out a soft laugh, following with a small smile.

I have to admit that I miss it when she smiles...

(Y/N) punched my arm and smiled at me.

"Ha! Dumb Uchiha!" She laughed, as she walked in front of me.

I reached into my pocket and felt a picture that I've been carrying ever since my teen years, she gave it to me herself...

But, I see no reason to pull it out now, so I pull my hand out of my pocket and walked in silence with the girl that I love, who once loved me.

Soon, after the silent walk, we arrived at the academy. A few minutes before the kids are released.

I looked at (Y/N), she was standing patiently, waiting on Ai. Her daughter.

"Oh damn... I should have asked Naruto if they can watch Ai while I'm on my mission..." She muttered.

"I don't want to put Ai on anyone at last minute..." She sighed. "Whose going to watch her?" She asked herself.

I tilted my head.

"I can watch her," I suggested.

She quickly looked at me, as if I said something that I should never say.

"Why would I let you do that?"

"Well... I'm not busy, and I'm responsible. I can cook, watch over her, protect her. And, you know I can protect her."

"Maybe she's old enough to watch over herself..."

"(Y/N), we both know you don't want that."

She sighed, then let out a loud groan.

"Fine! But, I swear Sasuke! If you say anything about our past r—"

"Mommyyyyyy!!!!" (Y/N) was cut off by, Ai running up to her with wide arms.

"Ai!" She grinned and picked up her daughter, and swung her around in a tight hug.

Ai giggled, and that giggle was the same as her mothers. It was so cute.

Ai looked over her mother's shoulder and saw me.

She smiled and waved. "It's the ninja mommy!" She said.

(Y/N) glanced over at me and sighed. "Well, his name is actually... Duckbutt. And, he'll be babysitting you, since I have a mission today." She told her.

Did she just call me... Duckbutt?

Ai looked at her mother.

"A mission?... Is it dangerous mommy?... The last time you want on a mission you were gone for a long time!" She whined.

"Ai—"

"Mommy! I don't want you to go! I don't want you to get hurt! Please don't go, mommy!" Ai screamed on the verge of tears, cutting off her mother.

(Y/N) looked flustered. She didn't know how to respond to her daughter's plea.

I cleared my throat, which caused them to look at me.

"I just wanted to say... Ai, I've known your mother for a long time. And, I can say this mission is easy peasy. She'll take care of it and get back home in no time. And, you can trust me and I promise that she'll appear with no scratches. And, when she came home she'll show up with a big smile, like how she always does. Because she's strong and capable. And, will always return to her loved ones. Especially her daughter."

(Y/N) looked at me and then looked at her daughter, who was staring at me.

"R-Really? Is he right, mommy?" She asked and looked at her mother.

(Y/N) smiled and nodded. "Of course. And, it's a simple mission. Rescue and come home." She confirmed.

Ai smiled and held on to her mother. "Okay!"

"Let's go home now." (Y/N) said, and started to walk to their house, while holding her daughter.

Her daughter.

I followed behind them and quietly watched the pair from behind.

...

We walked up to her front door, she pulled her key out and unlocked the front door.

"We're hoommeee~." (Y/N) and Ai said in sync, as she pushed the door open and put Ai down on to her feet.

"Sasuke, can you make Ai a snack or something? I have to go ahead and prepare for the mission, and then I can prepare dinner for you two." (Y/N) asked.

I nodded and looked at Ai, who was already looking at me.

"What would yo—"

"I want ramen noodles!" She cut me off as she took her shoes off at the front door, then ran to the kitchen.

"I hope you don't mind that Sasuke." (Y/N) looked at me and smiled. "She is most definitely Naruto's niece." She added while taking her shoes off.

There she goes again... Smiling at me, like how she used to.

I gave a quick nod, then took my shoes off.

"Ah... What should I prepare for dinner?" She muttered to herself, as she left to her room.

I then walked to the kitchen, where Ai had skillfully climbed up the counter, but couldn't reach the cabinet where the ramen cup of noodles was being held.

I smiled softly, at how adorable she looked, her bottom lip stuck out in a pout and she stood on top of the counter trying to reach for the cabinet.

I chuckled and walked over to the little girl, "Ai?"

She turns her head and looks at me.

"Do you need help?" I asked.

She pouts and nodded. "I can't reach it..."

"Here," I said, and picked her up and put her on my shoulders. She cheered as she was able to open the cabinet.

"We did it!" She grinned and grabbed the cup of noodles. I nodded and put her down on to her feet on the floor. "I'll get a kettle started," I said, and looked at her as she bounced up and down on the floor.

"Oh... Hm, where does your mother keep the kettle?" I asked and looked at the little girl.

She pointed at another cabinet that was at the top above the counters. "Okay, here hold this." I held the cup of noodles out to her.

I opened the cabinet and looked around for the kettle. It was on the very top shelf.

Why did she put this on the very top shelf? She must struggle herself...

I sighed and reached up, easily grabbing the kettle. After I closed the cabinet, then going over to the sink and turned on the water. Filling the kettle up.

Then, I headed over to the stove, I placed the water-filled kettle down onto an eye. I turned on the heat of the eye to the middle.

There all set.

I sighed and looked at Ai, who was staring up at me with a huge, wide grin.

"Yes?" I asked.

She smiled and held the cup of Ramen noodles close to her.

"Can you do me a favor?" She asked.

"A favor?"

She smiled and nodded.

"What is it?" I asked, curious by what she means a favor.

"Well... Mommy says very little about daddy... Only about his Sharingan and that he's an Uchiha..." She muttered and looked down.

I see.

"But... I'm sure, that since you—"

"Ai!" (Y/N) called, as she walked into the kitchen cutting off Ai.

Ai jumps and turns around, "yes, mommy?" She said, with a small smile.

(Y/N) kneeled in front of Ai and opened stretched her arms out.

"I'm going now. I want to say goodbye before I leave." She said. Ai put the cup of noodles down onto the counter and hugged her mother.

"Be safe mommy," Ai mumbled, (Y/N) nodded and hugged her daughter tight.

They soon let go of each other, (Y/N) stood up. Soon her eyes were laid on me. We slowly locked eyes.

"Don't look me in the eyes with those eyes!"

"Why not? Sasuke? Do you hate my eyes?"

"Sasuke. Take care of my daughter." She said, and looked down at Ai, giving her a happy smile, before walking out the kitchen.

Then I heard the front door open and then close.

I looked down at Ai, she was staring at the front door.

"Do you miss your mom?" I asked.

She nodded.

"Does she go onto missions often?"

"No... But, when she does they usually take a while... The last mission she went on, I had to stay with Boruto for awhile. And, when mommy came back..." She trailed off and glanced at me.

"Auntie Hinata took me to the hospital and mommy was sitting on the bed, smiling and laughing. While they were stitching up her arm." She said, now she was fully facing me.

Ai had a smile on her face, but it looked so sad.

"And, mommy looked at me, with a huge smile and said... 'Stop crying. I've been hurt way worse than this.'" She muttered, her eyes staring at the floor.

"Sasuke... I've been hurt way worse than this... This right here is a scratch." (Y/N) laughed and glared at me, with blood streaming down her arm.

I always wondered... How could (Y/N) just laugh through the pain and act like she's not hurt.

"Your mother... It is very weird." I said, in a joking manner. Trying to lighten the mood.

Ai looked up at me, she looked like she was on the verge of tears.

That look... So much like her mother...

(Y/N) looked up at me, she was on the verge of tears.

I kneeled and cupped her cheeks, and wiped her tears away with my thumbs...

My hands were on Ai's cheeks, I was on my knees, I used my thumbs to wipe away the small tears. I looked her in her eyes.

Her one Byakugan and her one black eye.

"Don't cry."

"Don't cry," I said, in a soft voice.

(Y/N) looked at me, in a comforting manner. I looked at her, she smiled and nudged me with her arm. "I came all this way to see you. And, you want to be all angry and grumpy." She huffed, but let out a quiet laugh.

"Don't be upset. I'm sure how everything plays out. It'll be okay in the end."

"Don't be upset, Ai. I'm sure how everything plays out. It'll be okay in the end."

She looked at me and suddenly hugged me.

I looked at her, slowly hugging her back.

"You sound so much like mommy... Thank you." She muttered as she snuggled me slightly.

"Your mother's words always stuck in my mind," I said.

Soon she pulled away and smiled.

"Thank you!" She said, in a cheerful tone.

I then stood up and looked at the kettle, it was steaming.

I turned the eye off, and Ai grabbed her cup of noodles and forced open the lid, excited to eat.

She then put it back onto the counter, I grabbed the handle for the kettle, picking it up and pouring the water into the cup.

"Alright, we have to wait a bit," I said and looked down at her.

"Okay! Um... Can we return to my favor?" She asked and looked at me.

I gave her a nod, in response.

"Okay, so um... You must know a lot about Uchihas? And, knew Uchihas... Maybe, you met my dad? Knew him? I want to know more about him..." She said.

I looked down at her, looking her in the eyes.

Her eyes.

They held her curious look.

But, they show hope.

Her hope... It looks like the type of hope her mother always had...

"Please, tell me about daddy..."

I stared into her eyes, with hesitation. But, my mouth on it's on opened slowly.

"I don't know him. But, maybe your mother saw him, and she saw him when I never noticed him." I said.

"Oh... Well, thank you! Is the ramen ready?" She asked and pointed at the cup.

I looked at the cup, the noodles looked ready.

"Yes." I looked around and saw chopsticks set out.

"Are these clean?" I asked.

"Yup!"

I grabbed them and handed them to Ai and picked up the cup of noodles.

"To the dining room!" She cheered and marched to the room where we would eat.

I followed the five-year-old, she sat down in a chair and I placed the cup down onto the table and put the chopsticks down.

"Thank you!" She smiled and started to eat.

I sat down and started to think about the response I gave Ai.

"She saw him when I never noticed him."

"I think you need to take a chill pill." She said as she sat down on my bed.

I was standing up and glaring at her.

"How do I need to take a chill pill?" I asked.

"You want to kill your brother." She stated.

"And, you don't even know why he did what he did." She added on.

"Well, I'll find out when I see him," I said, letting out a huff.

"You see Sasuke. You're a good guy, we all know. I see it in you... The issue is. You don't see it. You don't notice it." She said and stood up, standing in front of me.

We looked at each other in the eyes.

Her Byakugans looked into my black eyes.

"I get it..." She muttered, "you're an avenger. You're avenging your clan. They were killed by your brother. If my brother killed my whole clan, I would do the same. I would chase him down to the ends of the planet, and even if I have to be dragged down to hell along with him. I'll kill him too." She said, and then shrugged.

"But... At the same time... While chasing him, I would be searching for clues. Clues on why he did it. What set him off? Not kill him now and get answers later." She shook her head.

"Well, your brother isn't going to kill your clan," I said and sighed.

She smiled and cupped my cheeks. "Yes, but I understand what position you're in Sasuke." She said, squeezing my cheeks.

I huffed and grabbed her wrist, and looked down at her.

Looking into her eyes.

Then with my free hand, I grabbed her chin and then smashed my lips into hers.

"Duckbutt!"

I turned my head and saw Ai staring up at me with a huge grin.

"Hm... What is it?" I asked.

"Why are you smiling so big?" She asked, tilting her head, still holding a huge girn.

Her grin looks so familiar to (Y/N)'s grin. It's adorable.

"Oh... Hm, I was thinking about a story. That I remembered from my journey." I told her, lying to the five-year-old.

"A story! What is it about?" She asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

"It's a story about... Two people, from different worlds. But, they're the same inside." I said. She immediately turned her whole body towards me, she looked like she was filled with intrigue.

"REALLY?! CAN YOU TELL ME?! PLEEAASSEEE!!!" She shouted, begging and following it with a short whine.

"Hm... How about another day? Maybe, when you're mother is here? I think the story would be very interesting for both of you..."

She pouted and turned back towards her cup of noodles.

I glanced at her cup, realizing it was empty.

I grabbed the cup and stood up. "Let me throw this away for you. You can go and take a bath. Or, do I need to make it for you?"

"THIS IS MY MOMENT TO SHINE!" She shouted, jumping out of her seat and looked at me.

"I WATCHED MOMMY A GAGILLION OF TIMES!! I CAN DO IT!" She ran straight to the back.

Once she left, a small chuckle slipped through my lips. I went into the kitchen and threw away her trash.

Now, I didn't have anything to do. Ai was getting ready for a bath, (Y/N) is gone on a mission. And, here I am, standing inside of (Y/N)'s kitchen staring into the trash can, where trash lays and the cup I just put in there laid on top of all of the trash.

I felt sort of empty, staring at the empty cup. On top of everything that was lumped together, but there was just that one little empty cup with no one to be lumped with.

Wait a second... Why am I staring at garbage?

I slapped my hand against my face for how stupid I am being. Staring at a pile of trash? That would be so embarrassing, especially if Ai walked in. And, then she would probably tell her mother, and then her mother would tell Naruto. And, Naruto and (Y/N) would never let me live it down.

Ah... Thinking of Ai.

I walked out of the kitchen and to the back of the house, where the rooms were.

I walked to the bathroom, the door was closed and the water was running, but I could hear little sniffles. I knocked on the door gently, "Ai?"

I heard a tiny squeak sound and running in the bathroom. The sound of the water being turned off and more running. I stepped back from the door, with the door being cracked open.

"Y-Yes?..." The five-year-old spoke, with a small sniffle following.

"Are you... okay?" I asked.

"Yeah... I uh..." She trailed off, and slowly opened the door. I looked down at her, as she looked up at me, her normal-looking eye, was red.

"I-I miss my mommy!" Her eyes were getting watery, and she looked down and away from me.

"Whenever I take a bath, she's here for me... She keeps me company... And, she's not here..." Ai muttered and looked back at me.

"Well, I'm sorry that you're sad," I said, and then an idea popped into my head.

"Hey? What if I sit out here and keep you company?" I asked her.

She looked at me and sniffled again.

"R-Really?" She asked.

I nodded, "it's the least I can do for (Y/N) and you, for allowing me into your home and giving me a place to stay before I leave again." I told the five-year-old girl.

Ai looked at me with a bright smile, "THANK YOOOUUU!!!!" She shouted happily, "I'll start my bath now! Stay here! Thank you!" She said, her smile turning into a wide grin as she ran into the bathroom closing the door.

I let out a chuckle and sat down on the floor, leaning against the door.

I let out a quiet sigh as I just sat there.

"Hey... Mister? Uh, duckbutt?" She called from the bathroom.

"It's S--, nevermind... What is it?"

"Can you tell me a story? About my mom? Or dad? Or both of them? I know, since you're an Uchiha you probably know my dad..." She said.

"I... Well..." I trailed off with a sigh.

"Please?" She called out in a slightly, begging tone.

I let out another sigh.

"Sure, I can only tell you about your mother, sadly. But, if I knew about your father I would tell you, but... Anyways, about your mom, here's a story." I said, and crossed my arms, and closed my eyes.

"Sasssuukkkkkeeeee!" (Y/N) called.

I glanced over my left shoulder and saw, (Y/N) running at full speed towards me with a bag filled with something in her hands. She was getting closer and looked like she wasn't going to stop. A small smirk formed on my lips and stuck my leg out as she got closer.

"SAA-" (Y/N) squealed as she tripped over my foot, but then I let out a gasp as she grabbed my shirt and flipped me over onto my back, as she pinned me to the ground. I looked up at her with a glare, as she looked down at me with a wide grin, "Sasuke, you clumsy fool!" She laughed as she stood up and held her hand out to me.

I continued glaring and smacked her hand away, as I stood up.

"You know you smack like a little biiii-"

I gave her a hard glare, not wanting her to finish what she's about to say.

"-tttttcccchhhhhhh." She continued with a wide smile.

"Goodbye," I said, and turned my back towards her, starting to walk away from her.

But, as I walked, she walked beside me. I let out a groan and stopped, "what do you want?" I asked.

She stopped in front of me and then turned to face me. Then, she held the bag out to me and opened it.

"I just finished shopping with Naruto! We bought a bunch of cupped ramen noodles!" She said, clearly excited.

"I was heading home now, to go and make some for me and Neji! But, then I saw your lonely emo ass, walking and sooooo I decided to keep you company!" She said.

"I don't need your company," I said, and pushed past her and continued walking.

But, only to look to my side and saw her walking next to me.

"Why are you following me?" I asked.

"I'm not following you, my home is this way, duuuhhh! Pffttt, maybe I should go and walk with Naruto!" She huffed.

I groaned and shook my head.

"I don't care. Do what you want." I said.

She grinned and walked beside me.

We continued to walk in silence, well more like she was talking and I was silent.

I occasionally glanced at the Hyuga, she talked happily, with a huge smile.

I stared at her for a few seconds, taking in her beauty, her enchanting voice, and how happy she looked.

I could feel my heart beating rapidly, I put my hand on my heart hopefully trying to calm it down, I continued looking at her, as she was now walking in front of me and I was behind her. I didn't know I was slowing down.

She stopped and looked at me.

"Hey, slowpoke!" She shouted, making me remove my hand from my heart and look at her with a glare.

"What is it, Hyuga?" I asked.

"We're here at my house." She said and pointed at her large house. "So, I'll see you tomorrow." She continued.

I nodded.

She smiled and ran towards her door.

I sighed and walked the rest of my way home.

Alone.

"And, yeah... Your mother was a nice and surprising girl. She still is. I'm pretty sure she still has a lot of surprised up her sleeve." I told the little girl.

"Ah! Thank you for telling me a story about mommy! It was a nice one!" She cheered. "That story was super long! So, I'm done! YAY!" She cheered.

I let out a chuckle, I looked down at my hand and slowly placed it on the spot where my heart is located.

It was beating rapidly, I took slow and deep breaths to try and calm my heart down, but in no way, I could.

It was always her, and only her that made my heart feel like that.

I then heard the bathroom door open, I turned my head and saw Ai in her PJs. She looked up at me, with a tired look.

"I think, I'm ready to go to sleep now. " She mumbled, following it with a yawn. "Alright, let's get you to bed," I told her and as I was about to walk her to my room, I felt a tug on my pants. I looked down at the sleepy girl, she had her arms up.

"You want me to pick you up?" I asked her.

She nodded tiredly.

I reached down and picked up the girl, she was very light. As soon as, I picked her up, she laid her head on my shoulder.

I guess she is really tired.

I held her close and carried her to her room, I switched on the lights once I stepped foot into there. I carried her over to her bed and put her down. She scurried under her blankets and got all snuggled up. She let out a soft yawn and looked at me, "goodnight..." She muttered.

I walked over to her door, "goodnight, Ai." I said, turned her light off then walked out of her room, closing the door behind me.

I sighed and walked over to the guest room, where I stayed, but I kept looking at my hands.

She was so small, and warm. She was so fragile...

Ai... I believe that you are my daughter. And, as long as I live, I will protect you and watch over you. I'll respect your mother, but I won't be absent from your life and let you be hurt.

I walked into the guest room, took off my clothes, changed into something more comfortable.

I sighed and lied down in bed, and stared at the ceiling.

"(Y/N), why do you hide the fact that I'm her father? Everyone knows that I have to be the only one to be her father... Unless there were others, but we know there isn't. Or, I know there isn't at least..."

"Hey, Sasuke... What if, there were more Uchihas out there? Ya know? That we've never even heard of! I mean, despite you and your brother, there was Obito and Madara... What if there was more?"

[Oh my god, this took forever. I don't know about the ending I just wanted this dooonneee.]