ᴬⁿᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᴰⁱᵐᵉⁿˢⁱᵒⁿ - ⱽ
The visitors were looking around and admiring the decorations, the children running around. Sarada face lit when her eyes landed on a stall that sells Taiyaki and other pastries. Sarada tugged her mom shirt and Kawaki to see if she can can buy some and if the latter wants one too. "Mama! Look!" But what Sarada didn't pay attention to was that she tugged on the Seventh Hokage's clothes instead of her mom.
Naruto looked down to see the culprit and laughed at how adorable Sarada face was and the way Kawaki eyes lit up when they landed on the stall. "Do you want one, Sarada, Kawaki?" Naruto asked gently making both flush from embarrassment but they slowly nod their head.
Naruto's smile widened and informed Shikamaru that he will be at the Taiyaki stall so as to not make them worry. Naruto extended both of his hand to the children beside him and silently told them to hold his hand if they don't wanna get lost. Sarada happily put her hand on his. Kawaki was slightly hesitant as he was a little embarrassed but still did and clasped his hand with Naruto. His rough hand made them think of an exhausted parent. It was that warm.
Naruto went over the stall, hands clasped with both of his children. They might not be his biological children but he still loved them as his own. When Naruto arrived, he noticed how the woman that was selling the Taiyaki looked at him immediately and clasped her hands happily. "Ah! You must be the Hokage-sama from the other world! It's a pleasure to meet you!" The woman smiled softly when she noticed the children with him. She was familiar with the boy, Kawaki and Sarada too but only slightly cause of the different hair and eye color.
"What can I get for you?" The woman asked gently. The woman selling the Taiyaki was in her 20s with light brown hair and green eyes. She looked quite young for someone in their 20s. Naruto looked down between Sarada and Kawaki. "Order as many as you like." Naruto said as he removed his hand from theirs and patted their head instead making the younger ones flustered at the gesture of their role model and father figure.
Sarada smiled shyly and said, "Can I get custard and chocolate one please!" Kawaki nodded his head to indicate that he wants the same. "Me too." Naruto smiled brightly and chuckled a bit. Naruto payed for the sweet fish cake and soon the three of them bid the woman goodbye and left.
The three walked around for a bit, chatting about random things like Naruto's childhood, what he did, liked and the fact that Naruto still has his frog wallet. It's the little things that people think is precious cause no matter how small they are, it means a lot to others.
***
Sasuke was walking side by side with Sakura, who was doing all the talking while he just added few words and sentences from time to time. Sasuke looked on the other side of Sakura to see if Sarada was there but to his surprise she wasn't. He was to busy looking around and paying attention to Sakura that he didn't notice. Sasuke feet stopped walking, causing Sakura stop in her track as well to see what the problem was.
He made eye contact with Shikamaru and asked urgently. "Shikamaru. Do you know where Sarada is?" Hiding the fact that he is anxious his daughter might be lost, his stoic face didn't betray him as usual. Unless it's Naruto. The guy can see through him no matter what. This reminded him of the blonde and took the time to look around to see where he might be but noticed that both he and Kawaki are missing as well.
His facade slowly started breaking and his confusion might have been showing but since it's Shikamaru, the guy wouldn't care. "What about Naruto and Kawaki?"
"Ah. Naruto went with both of them to get Taiyaki. They should be back soon unless they decided to wonder around by themselves." Sasuke tense shoulder, that he didn't notice were stiff from the beginning, began to relax which didn't go unnoticed by the Hokage advisor. Shikamaru chuckled and went back to talking with his wife and son.
They were talking about their youth and chunin exams because Shikadai was for once curious. The exam was near, by few months so he wanted to know what it was like to maybe get some ideas on how their chunin exam would go. To say the least, he was horrified at the killing and screaming part which didn't help with the fact that he doesn't wanna do the exam. It was to tiresome and annoying.
Soon after, Naruto came back with a happy Sarada and Kawaki, both were cheerfully munching on their fish-shaped pastry. Naruto can be seen grinning contently at his achievement that was cooed by the elderly women's who were passing by. Hinata smiled softly at her optimistic and stubborn husband that she came to love. It was quite the sight honestly. They looked like a family for those who don't know them
Hinata walked toward her husband and locked their hands, which were very warm, just like him. His bright and pleasant aura made it a lot easier for citizen of this world to approach him. The elderly talked with him as if he were their grandson, causing him to smile non-stop at the feeling. They were so sweet and kind, Naruto thought.
Sasuke gaze lingered a little longer at the locked hands of the married couple, seeing their happy faces made his heart ache. He looked the other way knowing how much it hurts for Sasuke to see Naruto happy with someone else when all he could do is cause him sadness. Just like he did all those years ago. He just couldn't make Naruto happy but acknowledging that fact hurts even more.
Karin, who was behind Sasuke, was staring at him with an unreadable face. As if understanding his pain, she gave him a few pats on the back to show him her support. Seeing the man you love marry someone else just to find out that he loved someone else and wasn't really happy in his marriage was difficult. Karin saw how hardworking and supportive Sakura is. Supporting her husband who was away for years while having to look after your child and work as a doctor was hard.
Karin at some point wished for the pink haired kunoichi to just divorce Sasuke and find someone who is able to stay in her daily life and actually help her looking after her daughter. Sakura's love for Sasuke is just blind love at this point, having a wonderful wife but not even be in his family life is just a lot for a human being.
While giving the support to Sasuke, she went beside Sakura and held her hand to show that she isn't alone. That Sakura can ask for her help. It wouldn't have been the first time Karin helped Sakura with taking care of Sarada and household chores when she is to busy.
Gaara, Orochimaru and Kakashi who knew all the god damn complicated shit that is happening between these two families, sighed in exaggeration. Seriously, someone end this shit already so they don't have to see all these sad, pain and stressed faces. The three males were glad that they were single and do no have love interest. Gaara and Orochimaru may have children but its better than having a spouse such complicated feelings and situation.
"Someone please end this. They might as well have divorce." Being done with their shit, the three left and decided to enjoy the festival. Christmas was the next day after all. They need to get settled and prepared.
Ino was looking back and forth as she sighed at the complicated situation. What is this? No, seriously, how did all of this happen? She glanced at the paper that is in her hand and tucked some hair behind her ear. Lets see, Sasuke and Sakura married each other due to former hearing a rumor that Naruto is marrying Hinata, not knowing that he got married before Naruto. Naruto married Hinata after she suggested something and he didn't refuse since he had no reason to. Sasuke got Sakura pregnant, and four days later, Naruto got Hinata pregnant. Sasuke left the village for years due to being influenced by a complex mix of personal history, his mission to protect the village, and his desire to atone for his past actions leaving his wife and daughter.
[The birthdays are altered for the sake of the story]
Karin part in this was that she helped Sakura throughout the years with raising Sarada and being her nanny while her mom worked. There were few people who know about the situation of these four people but its not like they can help with anything. Its even more complicated because they have children. Ino clapped her hands, gaining the attention of everyone.
"Alright everyone! Due to some complication, we couldn't get all of you a house for the stay thus our Hokage-sama has invited you to stay over at his place for the time being. There is no need to fret seeing as the 7th Hokage, which is Uzumaki Naruto, has the biggest house in the world."
Sarada raised her hand, just like a student does when asking a teacher something. Cute. M!Ino thought.
"What is it, Sarada-chan?"
"Is it appropriate to stay with Nanadaime?" She was concerned that they were invading the Hokage's personal space. Ino cooed internally and laughed. "It's fine, Sarada! Naruto and his family did not protest at all and are very welcoming so you don't have to worry about that."
Ino gave Sarada and Inojin, who was beside her, a head pat which the two did not protest. It was a nice gesture. "However, you might encounter some surprises along the way, I hope you can respect peoples opinion and decisions which means violence is prohibited unless there is a very good reason for it."
Sarada went to stand beside Boruto and Mitsuki, the former confusion was very obvious. "What king of surprises do you think its gonna be, Dattebasa?" Sarada shrugged her shoulder, indicating that she doesn't have any idea.
"Who knows? She might be talking about our alternative family or something."