All The King's Men (formerly I Want You So Bad)

Chapter Four:

Sketches of Our Daily Lives While Missing You

I

Father's Day

Getting the boys sit still long enough of have their photograph taken was a nightmare and hassle. The children's nanny had a firm grip on Jiraiya's right hand to hold the hyper little boy in place after Sasuke had dragged him back from the toy bin that the idiot photographer had in corner.

Sasuke swore that he going to kill Konohamaru next time he saw that little fucker.

That little bastard knew, he knew, Ji had a hyperactivity disorder and his only acceptable sweet snacks were dried fruits.

So what did that little prick do?

He gave Ji candy.

Admittedly, it had been during his pre-school activities and Yuudai had been given the same number of little candies; But hell, giving Ji sweets was like giving meth to addict and then letting the fucker loose on society. Konohamaru was dead a dead man next time Sasuke saw the little freak.

After Ji took off, Dai and Hiro decided to act out and just when Sasuke though things couldn't get any worst, Miki took Itachi's rice crackers and now the little boy was crying for his Dada.

Sasuke ignored the stares, snarled at the all the women who tried to offer their assistance as well as their phone numbers, as he managed to calm his younger children down. Akihiko held Miki, making sure to little snack thief kept his greedy little paws off his twin's crackers. The children's nanny, Mine, was tangling with the hyperactive Ji while Sam and Rai were trying to help their father by keeping Dai and Hiro out of trouble.

If Naruto did not insisted upon doing this every year, Sasuke most defiantly would not be there right now. Yet each year, since they were married, Naruto insisted on documenting their growing family with photographs. He started when it had just been them and Akihiko, and each year it was the same, a group portrait of the kids and then individual portraits of the children. Sasuke really didn't get the reason for it. They had tons of pictures of the kids thanks to Naruto and his trusty little camera. There were also the home videos, and commissioned paintings of each other their boys that Naruto just insisted that they have.

…That reminded Sasuke that he needed to get in touch with that guy to come down to paint Itachi and Miki's portraits; He would do that tomorrow after Akihiko's dentist appointment.

Thankfully, their main family portrait had been taken three days before Naruto had left for his yearlong mission. These annoyances were arranged for when the twins could sit up properly and had a bit more hair per Sasuke's own insistence and now he was here, suffering for his vanity.

Hiro, tugging at the laces of his hamaka, was clearly upset with the traditional outfit. Dai was trying his damnest to loose his sandals and what the hell had happened to Miki's face? Sasuke stopped to pull out his handkerchief and went to work on savaging Naruto's precious photographs. This was the absolute last time he attempted this shit alone. Next time he would just have the damn photographer come their house instead of putting up with this madness. He really should have let Kurenai accompany him. Curse his damned pride.

Finally when his brood once more reigned in and Sasuke's temper once again under control after he snap at the latest wench that dared to approach him, Sasuke barked at the photographer to get on with it before he walked out the door with his business.

Masaki-san was used to the Uchiha family and clan leader's peculiarities. He simply ushered each child to the small dais with the backdrop Namikaze-sama had chosen when he was last in the studio.

It had taken a little over two hours for the tedious process to end and by the time it was over, it was late in the afternoon and the little ones were hungry. Feeling more tired than he been in a long time, Sasuke only wanted to get his children home and let them loose on their tutors, but Hiro had started whining about odangos then Dai picked up the refrain, all the while tugging on the sleeve of his Otosan haori, as he tried to lead Sasuke towards his favorite ramen stand.

Hoping to spare himself further aggravation, the brow beaten father surrendered to the demands of his children, but he refused to stop at the ramen stand much to Dai's disappointment. Sasuke chose a family friendly restaurant that offered bite size portions for little ones not quiet able to use chopsticks and ramen to quiet his little Naruto down, plus enough bright colours, noise, and excitement to keep his children occupied and entertained throughout their meal.

Now that his children were armed with crayons and kid friendly menus that doubled as activity booklets to entertain active little ones' minds, Sasuke managed to have two fortifying cup of strong green tea while attending to his sons. He managed the awe-inspiring parental trick of praising Jai, Dai, and Hiro for completing the various word games and at the same time he managed to listen to Sam and Rai practice their reading skills by reading out loud to the amuse their baby brothers.

It was moments like these when he would see how his sons interacting and playing with each other that he would remember his own brother, the Itachi that existed before the village betrayed him. His once beloved and revered aniki, Itachi. It didn't hurt anymore to think about him. Sasuke could share his memories about his brother with people, laugh about Itachi's silliness, and remember the awe he felt when watched him train or their final moments together.

A small smile quirked his lips as he drank his tea. Because of his brother, Sasuke had his current life. He had his growing family, his beautiful husband, and world at his feet. He had everything that Itachi had wanted for him and more. He would be grateful to his brother every day for this happiness.

"Uncle, I see one of my squad members and his family, may I go greet him?" Ahikiho asked eagerly.

Sasuke looked over to where his nephew was pointing before nodded his consent. The boy grinned happily before jumping out of his seat and started towards the other side of the restaurant. Before he could take two steps thought, Yuudai wanted to go with him and that meant Ji was going to follow. Ahikiho glanced at Sasuke for permission who gave it easily and the older boy hurried off, holding each little boy by the hand.

Sasuke smiled before turning his attention to Rai as the little boy carefully showed Hiro how to navigate a simple maze on the back of his menu. Itachi and Miki were leaning over in their high chairs to see what Samuru was coloring and Sasuke finished his tea.

Today was a good day. It would have been better if Naruto was seated across from him, but he wouldn't trade any time spent with his family for anything in the world.

This was the life Itachi wanted for his brother, and Sasuke was forever thankful.

II

When I Grow Up

When she was a girl, Haruno Sakura would have done anything to have Uchiha Sasuke notice her. She turned her back on one of her closest friends and behaved in the most obnoxious manner while simultaneously throwing herself in front of boy who constantly looked right through her.

When she was a young girl, Sakura was devastated when Sasuke abandoned the village. At the time it felt like to her childish heart that he had abandoned her and she spend several weeks crying over him while her other teammate lay alone in a hospital bed.

She is rather sorry to admit that it took her three years to understand Sasuke for the person he truly was. After leaving Orochimaru's ruined underground lair, Sakura had a startling realization: She did not know the real Uchiha Sasuke. The person she begged Naruto to return to them never really existed outside of her girlhood fantasies—more startling of all, though now that she could see it with a more mature eyes, Sasuke had looked right through her. Hell, he had raised his sword ready to kill her without a though along with anyone who got in his way without hesitation…Except when it came to Naruto Sasuke had hesitated.

Sakura saw Sasuke remove Naruto from the fight before turning back on them, ready to kill them and Sakura believed he would have too had it not been for Orochimaru timely interference. Sakura had been shaken badly by Sasuke's attacks to focus on the legendary Sannin no hebi or his lackey; she could only see Sasuke and what she saw devastated her.

Yet it was days before that that terrible reunion of Team Seven Sakura discovered she had lost Naruto's heart. Then Sakura unaware of the tender bloom that had begun to favor her other teammate. Her own carelessness heart cost her Naruto's affections. As she stood on that cliff, watching the four-tailed Naruto fight against Orochimaru, Sakura had called out to the cursed boy, swearing she would do all she could and more to bring Sasuke back to him. Sakura, still with her girlish heart half understanding the terrible pain of her friend, promised to do all that she could to restore Sasuke to Naruto; At the time, she was only thinking of stopping his pain, she did not know she that she promising to forfeit her own heart for theirs. It still makes her smile to think that in some small way, she helped her best friend find and hold onto the love of his life.

And it was through them both that she found her love.

Sakura smiled gently at the man seated at the table across from her. Candle light reflected softly in his rich brown eyes, making them warmer as he gazed fondly at her over the tabletop. Iwa Hiroshi was the love of her life.

Two years and counting, Sakura's lips moved silently as he reached for her right hand.

Growing up in Sasuke and Naruto's shadows was the best thing that could have happen for her. Following her master's and friends examples in life, Sakura finally managed to find her own happiness.

She would never want to be that desperate little girl that wanted to throw her life away for a boy who never saw her. She shuddered to think of what could have happened to her if Sasuke had never left the village. Would she as desperate and bitter as Ino who threw away all hopes of happiness for unrealistic dream or would she been driven mad by her obsessions like Hyuga Hinata.

Maybe, but she refused to dwell on it. As far as she was concern, her childhood crush on Sasuke was just that: a childhood crush. Though her feelings for Naruto never went beyond that of comradely and acceptance, Sakura could proudly say that she loved him. It was with the warm affection of a sister and one of his dearest supporters.

It this affection for both men that allowed her to grow and experience life on her own terms without the drama of what could have been and maybes. She grew up, following the path of her teacher who told her to look beyond the life of a shinobi in order to find happiness, and gratefully Sakura had.

This time next year, she promised, when her dear friend returned home, they would celebrate as he had promised. Naruto even promised to sing at her wedding despite all the protests from their friends because no one wanted to hear his version of alley cat yowling that he thought was singing. However, that wasn't important, what was important was that he promised to be there, Naruto promised to come home and she was counting on him as to keep his word.

It was what he did best after all.

III

My Imaginary Boyfriend

She stood on the surface of the river with a kunai in her small hands. Her body trembled as she met the cold, hard gaze of the one she loved so desperately… Why couldn't he understand that she was doing this for him?

How could he not see the evil in those awful black eyes of that demon and his spawn? How they used him and stole his life from him as they constantly emasculated him?

How could he stand over them, a furious lion defending that horrid man's spawn, keeping her from saving him and returning him to his proper place in the world?

If he would just let her finish this, then it all would be again. Hinata shifted her stance as she prepared to attack. Once she slipped by him and removed the ugly stains that clung to him, then he would see, then Naruto-kun would finally understand how much she loved him. He would understand and then everyone would see and this nightmare would be over.

A choked sob escaped her trembling lips as she tried to smile at man she loved more than her own life.

She was doing the right thing. She had to do this. It was the only way to save not only him, but for her to save herself, and their future. He needed to be reminded of her devotion to him, that she would do anything to protect him, even if he did not know that he needed to be protected.

Naruto stood on the river's shore just in front his two shadow clones that were protecting his children. His steely gaze was locked on Hinata. Every slight movement, every twitch, and every breath she took he saw and waited.

She would never make it past him.

Thought it appeared that Naruto had every advantage in this fight, Hinata knew it was for show. She knew he was not going to hurt her. All of this was just an act on his part. The fearsome stare, his tensed, ready body that stood before the little demons as if would kill for them, was a part he had to play so none would suspect him in this.

She did not mind shouldering the blame since it was her scheme after-all. It was what a devoted wife was supposed to do for her husband to keep him from prison. No, she did not want her Naruto name sullied by this ugliness. He was going to be the Hokage, the people of the village had to trust him and adore him. If they knew the truth, if they every suspected then he would loose him most precious dream and she could never accept that.

She smiled at him to show him that she understood his position in this drama. She understood that he would move aside at the last minute to allow her to make the killing blow. Once they were done here, Hinata and he would go to Uchiha compound and she would finish her grisly task. She loathed the task set up on her but this was the only way to she could save her beloved.

Without further adieu, Hinata took a deep breath, her odd eyes moved from Naruto's beloved face to spawn of that devil before she took a running start towards the demons.

She leapt into the air, her kunai raised to slash their throats in one blow…

*.*.*

Although her crimes were horrific and the evidence against her damning, Hinata had been spared the shame and horrors of prison. She was found guilty of every charge leveraged against her and yet the courts had decided that she was insane. Her family was spared the humiliation of seeing it's heir imprisoned for the remainder of her days, but she was a prisoner nether the less. She was bound by a writ from the courts and the Hokage to her family home. The elders within her clan took it a step further by confining her to one wing of the main house. Her charka was sealed and the Hyuga curse mark was placed on her as a final act to appease village council and the Daimyo. Many suspected that it was Uchiha-sama and his gold that bought her final humiliation, yet it had been the lady's own Lord that demanded such a price and with good reason.

On that fateful day, Neji had returned home to find his house in disarray. The main house was on lockdown and the Hokage was there working feverishly to save his children. Their nurse had stumbled out room when she heard his voice. He saw younger members of lower houses lying near their own sick, too many were shocked by the viciousness of slaughter that had taken place in the nursery to notice their lord standing at the open doorway of what should been his children's sanctuary.

The Hokage and Haruno-Taichou were fighting desperately for miracles, Neji just wanted to open his eyes and wake up.

He couldn't look at the two babies on their small beds. His eyes that could see everything was blind this once as he refused to see his children murdered in their own beds or the horror that had become their playroom.

It did not take long for them to know who had committed the crime. They just did not know why. The truth came out in her trial along with just how ill she truly was. Hinata was sick. Neji, though he did not love her the way a husband should love his wife, had hoped that they could at least love their children as parents should while being civil to each other.

Yet to know that his children own mother hated them to the point that she want to end their young lives—That she saw them as creatures of vile putrid shame…Dear God, Hinata had come to his bed willingly, he never forced himself on her not once.

Neji would never forget that night she came to him, saying all the right things about their marriage and how they should try accept each other and attempt to live as man and wife. It was not the other way around. He never forced himself on a woman. Neji never had a reason to do so, but in Hinata's mind, she had twisted the events of that night and made it some conspiracy because her schemes were discovered and she was ruined.

She wanted Naruto to love her. She had no room in her heart for anyone else.

Neji picked up his son and carried the little boy away from the enclosed garden where his mother sat, holding a little doll with yellow hair, she called Naruto.

IV

A Perfect World

Kakashi watched as his son easily glided over the surface of the lake as he eagerly tried to catch his younger cousin in game of Chase the Devil. Aikihiko was a quick shadow on the water, his energies restored after a day spent with his family after a long training mission with his squad. The boy was in a playful mood and Isoka was his intended victim.

Kurenai sat on the pier with Dai-chan ensconced comfortably on her lap while Ji was situated happily on Kakashi's broad shoulders. The man stood on the lake much to the delight of the young boy who crowed merrily every time a silver-skinned fish passed beneath his uncle's feet.

Suddenly the child on his shoulders shrieked and Kakashi looked towards the edge of the lake to see Sasuke step on the lake and beside him was Samuru.

Sasuke was attempting improve the boy's charka control and on a hot day like today, this was a better exercise than climbing trees. Still, this type of jutsu was a little advanced for boy not quiet six years old but then Aikihiko was just made a Jounin and it was rumored that he would be made ANBU in the following year. No one expected anything less of Uchiha Itachi's son.

Talent was abound in this unique family, Sasuke's sons and his nephew were the best generation of Uchihas living thanks to open and nurturing home that Sasuke and Naruto created that allowed the boys to flourish and grow without the demanding expectations that had burdened Itachi and Sasuke. After Sasuke's defection, Kakashi never thought that he would live to see this moment with him married and a father as well as the blood relation to one of his students and related by marriage to another. He never thought that he would experience the life and simple pleasure of family or that Sasuke would see the same. Their lives were different, they were not meant to be men living lives as these, but neither would ever give up what they had been so blessed with.

Kakashi watched with a practiced eye as Samuru took his first tentative steps on the lake's surface. Sasuke stepped back and allowed his son stand on his own, Kurenai called out her praise to the little boy with Yuudai clapping and cheering for his brother. Aikihio and Isoka gave up their game to hurry to their young cousin side to offer their advice while jumping around Sasuke before being waved off by the boy's father leaving Sasuke to continue Samuru's lessons.

Night soon fell over the village, Kakashi ambled along at his wife's side, holding her hand as he listen to his son describe a jutsu Aikihio had shown him.

Kurenai tugged on his hand slightly and Kakashi turned to give her his attention as Isoka ran through the gate that led to their house. They had be been invited to the manor to have supper with Sasuke and the boys after leaving the lake and now it was just them, the happy family. Kakashi raised their joined hands to his lips and pressed a tender kiss to the back of his wife's hand. A delicate blush stained Kurenai's cheeks, before she laughed and gently pushed him away.

"You are a terrible romantic, Kakashi," she teased. "If I were not already your wife I would never be swayed by your pathetic attempts at seduction."

"Why would I have to attempt seducing you when you have far ensnared me in you web of beauty and tender romance?" was his glib reply.

Long used to the game, his wife bantered, "So I am no longer worthy of charm and romance?"

"You are worthy of the praise of angels," he countered. "But I doubt I could ever do you such justice."

"So you are giving up?"

They stood before on their front porch, the soft glow of the pathway lanterns illuminated the bowers of flowers that Kakashi had planted with his son and all his little nephews for White Day. The place was a picturesque backdrop that framed his lovely wife. It had been some time since he last thought of how different his life would be if Asuma here in his place.

Kakashi no longer felt guilty as he drew Kurenai into his arms. Her soft, husky laughter was the sweetest music to his ears. She flowed against him like water; her arms fell comfortably about his neck as she raised her face to meet his kiss.

After Isoka was asleep, his parents returned to the lake for their own game of Chase the Devil. Kakashi was accused of cheating but Kurenai did not complain too much as she allowed him to catch her more often than not. Nor did he protest when she pull him into below the surface with tantalizing kisses and soft touches that spoke of sweet promises that he was relished in with abandon.

For all his sins and his regrets, Kakashi would never regret his life with this woman for as long as he lived.

—flip the script—

Walk a minute on the dark side

They had come to pay their final respects to the last member of the House of Fire. As the young heir and last blood relative of the Lord Daimyo was laid to rest, the people of the country talked of who would the Lord appoint as his successor.

Even before the child could breathe his last breath, members of the Daimyo's court were trying to buy the Daimyo's affections in the effort to win the coveted position. Even as the funeral progressed, speculation was running high amongst mourners. What noble house would the Lord Daimyo chose to succeed him? From proud nobles who claimed distant kinship, friends, and loyal followers all believed that they had the Lord Daimyo's favor, whom could he choose?

Whom could he choose indeed?

The Lord Daimyo held few illusions about himself now. With his family gone, those beloved ones he could have saved had he not been so stubborn and prejudiced against his Kage, the Lord Daimyo could no longer hide from his faults. He was dull man, stupid with little to no imagination, greedy, and lazy. Not since his grandfather's father did his family boasted a brilliant man or a fearsome leader. They were all pampered, spoilt creatures who spent their days in leisurely pursuits believing that theirs was a divine right and all others were non-existent. It was this intolerant belief, he realized, that ended to his line. Listening to those who shared his beliefs delayed him in seeking the best medical specialist in all the nations until it was far too late.

His Kage came when summoned but by then his little grandson was in final stages of the terrible sickness. She tried her best, but in the end, she could only make boy as comfortable as one could in his final hours.

His grandson passed sometime during the night in his sleep. The Daimyo had not left the boy's side at that day.

Noble families are notorious for inbreeding. First cousins marrying first cousins, half-siblings jumping in bed together, with uncles marrying their nieces all led to some rather horrid illness interspersed throughout their genetic pool. Oddities such as a sixth finger or a hairy mole that was on some unknown great grandfather back that your child now has on his face. These were absurd mysterious of heredity that could amuse others for hours on end.

Of course, there was a downside to the constant inbreeding. Mental illness, heredity diseases, and the like were the prevalent in the noble houses. The current ruling house of the Fire Country was an old noble family. The current daimyo was a piggish little man of little intelligence, character, or wit.

He was self indulgent, lazy, and foppish. In his inner court he had surrounded himself with people that fawned over him as they tried to curry his favor, for this useless creature was one of the wealthiest lords in the five nations thanks in part to the military might of his hidden village.

The chief source of the Fire Nation revenue was made on the backs of Konoha's shinobi. And what did they get for their servitude and sufferance? This man, the effeminate nincompoop that made a man like Danzo Hokage, spat in the faces of the brave men and woman that swore to undying loyalty to their friends, brothers, and family for their village.

Of course, Karma was well known for both her generosity and parsimoniousness. And sadly for the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, her hands were closed and Fate had come demanding more than few pounds of flesh. With the viciousness expected of the divine, Karma brought the self-serving little despot low from his high perch, leaving him alone as prey those that once fawned and worshiped him. No one cared for his fears, the fact that his body was racked by the illness that claimed all of his kin. He could hear them laughing and scheming when they though him too weak to carry about his duties. They came to him with false smiles and sympathies unaware of how his eyes were now open and he was no longer the fool in this game.

With his Kage seated at his side, the Lord Daimyo finally did what his ancestors would understand thus be pleased by him in his final days.

With the Daimyo's most trusted advisor and the Lady Hokage bearing witnesses, the Lord Daimyo pressed his seals into his last decree.

Tsunade moved quickly for it was what her lord had insisted. His time was short and he knew what would happen once the court learned of his decisions. His successor would need the full backing of the village's shinobi as well as shinobi on the Council. Would Tsunade support his will?

The Hokage raced back to her village under the cover of darkness with two of ANBU guard staying as close to her as they dared. The nobility was not above hiring assassins to attack the Hokage as they played their desperate little games.

Thankfully, Tsunade returned to her village without incident. She by-passed her tower, her duty to the Land of Fire and Konoha were far more important than need to rest or even grab a precious bite of something to eat, she hurried on to the sprawling district on the western side of the village.

The Uchiha District.

Standing outside the gates stood Uchiha Sasuke.

Tsunade landed softly several meters away from the dark garbed man and she had to wonder again about this entire situation. It was all too sudden and made very little sense, however, she had given her word as well as swore a blood oath to her Lord. She would do as he commanded, even if she had reservations. Naruto would never forgive her if she denied his husband, yet she could not help but feel as if there was something more to this, deep beneath the surface, something was not right about all of this.

Quietly, Tsunade called out to Sasuke. He turned towards her direction when she moved towards him. Calmly she reached inside the folds of her robe and removed the blood bound seal just as she reached him, her elegant face betrayed none of the doubts or concerns that she was feeling beneath the surface.

"Uchiha Sasuke," she looked up at the man who once betrayed them and would have killed her last little love. She faced the man that she accepted because it meant that love's happiness. She looked up at the man she wondered more than once should she have killed. She stood before the man that had the power to destroy them all. She stood before a man still saw as an enemy of Konoha and she held out her hand because she had no proof of any of this other than his devotion to her Naruto. Tsunade pressed the scroll into his hands and met his curious gaze with her own serious one. "Will you invite me into your home for tea, Uchiha-sama."


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