••Third Person POV••

To say that Sasuke uchiha felt like the most stressed man on the planet right now would be an understatement. For clarifications sake, the most stressed father on the planet.

For once it wasn't Katsuro raising his fathers blood pressure by messing around, it wasn't Masahiko working himself half to death and having Sasuke worry, and it wasn't even Daisuke's illness!

No, for the first time in Sasuke's life it was his girls giving him a run for his money.

His two princesses!

Well, of course there was that time the girls ran away from home and searched for him while he was on a high class mission that was specifically dangerous for them, but he liked to forget that such a shitstorm of a reunion ever happened.

First it was Runa. His eldest daughter. Ironically his only planned and expected child. The literal apple of his eyes! (though he'd never admit something like that out loud)

It's her first time out of the country on her own without her parents!

Haru worried over this sure, but Sasuke was initially fine with it. After all, his daughter wanted to be a Kunoichi, going out on her own for school trips was something that would help ease her into the experience of being away from home!

Plus, at the time she wasn't really alone. She had Haruki and Masahiko with her, so Sasuke really didn't have any concerns.

That was until this mornings phone call. Naruto's son had carried Runa to their hotel last night?!

Boruto Uzumaki, the same little kid who had his other daughter a blushing mess whenever he was around all those years ago?!

Hn...

Now with said other daughter, things were inexplicably than they were with Runa.

Haruki Uchiha was arguably the sweetest being to have ever entered Sasuke's life. With her sugary smile, pale curls and doe eyes; he often found himself wondering how he managed to create such a cute child.

He mentally gave Haru most of the credit, though she'd argue their little Ruki is much more like Sasuke than anyone realized. And in all fairness, she was right.

Whenever Haru would say such a thing it'd remind Sasuke of the time Naruto told him how much Ruki resembled him when she got angry or upset.

At the time it seemed almost comical since the only Ruki Sasuke had ever known was the toddler who'd hide in his arms all day and fall asleep in the garden by the rose bushes, not the academy student who's been trained by her mother for years.

Still, even now Sasuke frankly can't imagine finding her anything other than adorable.

But alas, The current situation with Haruki was easily what was stressing him out the most. Even more than his little Runa and- Naruto's child who can't keep his hands to himself.

Haruki had a vision from the past while still in the Mist field trip. A vision, portraying her own grandmother's brutal death!

Sasuke swore his heart stopped beating for a split second when he was unsure of which grandmother she was speaking of. Either option was horrible, but admittedly, one of Sasuke's worst nightmares consisted of Haruki learning of the Uchiha massacre in such a traumatic way.

It wasn't to say that seeing Luna's death was any better. Hell, the trauma amassed in Haruki's once pure brain must've been beyond painful. To make matters worse, Haru quite literally looked like Luna's twin, so as Haruki watched her grandmother die, it was almost like watching her own mother die as well!

It explained why Haruki could barely look at Haru when they first reunited. She ran straight into Sasuke's arms and didn't dare look over at her mother. What was at first thought of as an act of favoritism towards her father quickly shifted into an act of self preservation as Haruki wasn't one to cry out for help like that in the first place! Seeing her mother would only make things worse!

But of course she eventually broke, and she knew she had to see her mother and confront what she saw if she ever wanted to heal. And so she did just that, and ever since she fell into Haru's arms, Haruki's been glued to her side.

It was as if she was afraid to let go, even back in the tundra, Haruki couldn't bare the thought of sleeping in her own room. Instead, she laid nestled between her parents, her tear stained cheeks tugging at both of their heartstrings as she clutched her teddybear and clenched her eyes shut.

Sasuke remembers running his hands through Haruki's hair in an attempt to help lull her to sleep. It always worked when she was younger, but she was still struggling. Haru tried wrapping Haruki up in the warmest of blankets as Haruki was susceptible to the tundra's harsh weather conditions, but she still trembled like a leaf!

Their efforts weren't entirely fruitless though. Eventually, Haruki's breath began to level out, and the rare tenseness in her face eased into the angelically peaceful expression she usually had. Finally, after hours of staying up, she managed to fall asleep.

That was only last night though, the beginning of what would be a long journey of recovery for the little Uchiha princess. Both Haru and Sasuke knew that there would be challenges down the road for Haruki, ones that they could never be in control of now with Kaguya's curse being as unpredictable as ever.

With everything in mind, Haru made the quick and smart decision to take the family back home for her daughters sake.

Daisuke's gotten better at controlling his singular rinnegan eye with the sage wolves help, and in an ideal scenario they'd all be able to stay at the tundra a bit longer. But alas, Haruki needed stability more than ever right now, she needed to be home.

And home they went, the trip back to Konoha was a quick as ever with the help of Sasuke's susanoo, and before anyone knew it the family of four (missing two very important members) were back in the Uchiha household.

"Hey dad, you said Haruki saw how grandma passed. Right?" Sasuke remembers Katsuro asking him on that same morning that they arrived.

Haruki was upstairs with Haru, whilst Daisuke laid asleep in his fathers arms. That left the father and son duo alone, to talk about all of the swirling thoughts in their heads.

"She did. Why?"

"I was just thinking- how come she didn't get the sharingan from something like that? Do you think she'll get it at all?" Katsuro questioned his father, his head tilted and his arms naturally crossed over his chest.

Sasuke's eyes widened, with everything going on he hadn't even taken a moment to think about this.

Katsuro was right, Haruki had just gone through a moment that was extremely provoking to her emotions. By all means, it should've been enough to unlock her sharingan.

Interestingly enough, Haruki never showed any signs of having it. Perhaps, she didn't inherit her father's kekkei genkai after all?

It would make her the only child out of the five that never obtained any sort of Dojutsu. It was an unexpected circumstance as the daughter of a full blooded Uchiha and partially Oshiro mother, though, it wasn't impossible.

"She might not have it at all. You already know not all Uchiha get the sharingan." He stated, earning a nod from his son.

"Right, isn't it supposed to be rare? Runa's the first girl to ever have it" Katsuro commented offhandedly, a small shrug to his shoulders.

"She was also the first girl to be born into the main branch of the uchiha clan at all. and yes, the sharingan is definitely rare"

"Damn, so Haruki's gonna be the only one without it huh? Besides Daisuke, but he already has the rinnegan so he wouldn't need it" he snorts, remembering just how destructive his youngest siblings eye power truly was.

"She'll live, she has two kekkei genkai that none of you inherited" Sasuke murmured, a smirk threatening to tug at his lips at the sight of Katsuro's offended face.

"Hey! I also have a kekkei genkai none of those twerps have! Not even Haruki" Katsuro readily defended himself, his veins burning hot at the reminder that he had missed out on two impressive kekkei genkai styles that his puny little sister lucked out on.

"Maybe you should work on it a bit more, you've been slacking-"

"He is doing no such thing! What he needs is sleep and warm food!" Haru interrupted from the top of the staircase, having heard the last bit of conversation with a glare on her face directed as Sasuke.

Katsuro smiled at the sight of his rescuer, sending Sasuke a sly look that just screamed 'you lost!'

Sasuke raised a brow as she came down the stairs and pressed a kiss to Katsuro's temple, then urging him to go take a shower and get to bed. Katsuro complied, not before sending Sasuke one last look of victory, before heading upstairs himself.

Haru sighed, turning to Sasuke with a small frown.

"Haruki wanted to be alone for a bit, I made her promise to call out to us if anything before I left"

He nodded, mulling over her worlds. If Haruki wanted space then that's what he'd give her. Sasuke knew better than any one else what it's like to want to be alone after moments like that. He knew just how important it was.

So, the only words he could utter in response were "She'll be okay, she's our daughter. She'll always have us even if she wants to be alone. She knows we'll be there waiting when she wants company again."

That scenario was all just a few days ago, and now Sasuke was stuck reminiscing as he walked through the streets of Konoha by his wife's side.

How Haru managed to convince him to go on a date instead of letting him barge into Naruto's office and demand that the blonde tame his son?- he had no clue.

But here he was now, hand in hand with the love of his life.

At least some happiness could form even throughout such stress.

His head was still swirling with worry over the lives of his children. Though, he couldn't help but enjoy the glimmers of light that followed him amidst all of the uncertainty. His wife was most certainly one of those small lights.

He never thought he'd love anything more than he loved her, and with the exception of the five gifts of children she'd given him, he was entirely right.

The two walked hand in hand throughout some of Konoha's less populated streets. She was holding him close. For a moment, Sasuke felt a shred of guilt for denying her of this experience for seven long, cold years.

The letters she'd send him, although heartwarming, were never enough as written words couldn't ever amount to the deeply linked emotions that run between them.

He longed to look into those scarlet eyes of hers that he loved so much, feel the weight of her body slung over his as she slept, smell that soft lavender fragrance lingering on her clothes, and to just be with her Damn it!

Being apart from Haru was pure torture, but he couldn't imagine what it must've been like for her.

She was the one who handed life as a mother without him. She was the one who'd stay up late at night, even when the older boys were safe and home with her, crying to herself out of pure worry for him.

Sasuke couldn't fathom what it must've been like for Haru, though, he's already gotten a few hints from his dearest brother in law.

Maybe it was him knowing how badly his absence affected her that led him to this rare moment.

Years ago, he never would've been able to imagine himself as he is now. With his wife holding onto his arm, her casual satin dress swaying Against the wind with every step she took, the sound of her sandals on the stone pavement below, her head laid so comfortably on his shoulder, and a gentle breeze shifting throughout.

Sasuke enjoyed the peaceful nature surrounding him, a similar environment to the ones he'd face on his travels.

This time however his muscles weren't tense with looming threats lurking beneath the shadows, nor did he have to constantly be on the lookout for his son's safety as they trekked through different dimensions. Now, he could enjoy a nice morning out with Haru, alone!

Something he's missed very dearly in the last seven years!

Konoha was covered in luscious greenery, cascading large oak trees and sunlight peeking through the gaps of the leaves, and the pair were currently walking through a rather nature focused area.

Haru was thoroughly enjoying herself, and the two looked as happy as a married couple could be.

"Isn't this so much better than arguing with Naruto?" She snorted, glancing up at him from her thick lashes.

"I'm still going to talk to him." Sasuke bluntly replied, the severity of his voice leaving haru to gasp out a few giggles before slapping a hand over her mouth once he sent her a narrow eyed look. "You're being ridiculous. So what if Boruto and Runa are close? It's better than them fighting all the time!"

"I prefer fighting. Runa always beat him when they were younger anyways" he scoffed, that haughty side of him that was so rare but so loved by Haru coming out in full force at the mere thought of his little girl with Naruto's son.

"Well well, look who we have here" The drawled out, almost teasing voice immediately had Sasuke rolling his eyes, and Haru gasping out happily.

The last thing Sasuke wanted was for Kakashi of all people, to see him like this. On a date!

"Kakashi sensei!!" Haru exclaimed, letting go of Sasuke's hand in favor of walking over to the former hokage.

"What're you two up to? I didn't think you'd be back from the tundra so soon" The elder of the two grinned, glancing between the two with raised brows. Sasuke had to refrain from grabbing Haru's arm and dragging her away for the sake of his sanity, but, it had been a long time since Sasuke has seen Kakashi.

Maybe a small part of him didn't mind seeing his older teacher again. A very very tiny part of him.

"Sasuke's taking me on a date" Haru smiled, completely ignoring the way Kakashi's eyes glint in amusement in favor of gesturing back at her husband.

"Oh, is he?" Kakashi muses, glancing over her shoulders and sending Sasuke an arched brow, one which the uchiha pointedly ignores.

"Is he treating you well?" Kakashi teases, earning a laugh from Haru. "Yeah! He's even letting me hold his arm in public-"

"What do you want Kakashi?" Sasuke interrupts before Haru could get into any sort of detail that would dig his grave deeper than it already has been.

"Can't I check up on my old students?" Kakashi wondered, Tapping his chin with his index finger and looking up at the sky as if he were contemplating something. Sasuke could quite literally feel his eye twitch at the Hatake's antics.

Haru however is easily amused, snorting at Kakashi and shaking her head. "Of course you can! It's been a while since you've come over for dinner, why don't you visit when Runa and Hiko return?"

Kakashi nods. "Ah that's right, the academy kids went to Kirigakure. It's good that the girls could get out of town and meet new people-"

"Yeah remember when I was their age!? I couldn't even get near the gates without the third hokage having an aneurysm!" Haru haughtily cuts off kakashi, still bitter from the remnants of her childhood.

Kakashi sends her a glance with pity, but she's already deemed herself far too bitter and bothered to bounce back on her former state of mind. "It would be like if Naruto decided to lock Haruki up in this village because of her kekkei genkai! Absolutely ridiculous."

At the mention of Haruki, Kakashi's brow quirks. "How is she by the way? Anything new with that issue?" He asks, turning to Sasuke as well.

"Well she was at the fieldtrip with Runa and Hiko, but she called us to go get her and bring her back home early since-'' she pauses, looking around for any hint of prying eyes and curious ears. When she assures herself that they're alone, she turns back to kakashi.

"Sensei, she had a dream that showed her my mother's death" Haru whispered, leaned into the Hatake's ears with her hands covered over her lips as if she were trading him one of the worlds deadliest secrets. And maybe she was.

Kakashi leans back from Haru, absolutely stunned. His dark eyes practically bulge out of his head and he glances between Haru and Sasuke, wondering if he had somehow misheard. "What!?"

"You heard me! She called us crying and she couldn't even look at me when we got to her. Turns out she dreamt of what happened to my mom" Haru repeats, this time a bit louder and not so stereotypically secretive. She steps back and retreats to Sasuke's hold, her arms wrapping around his as she relives the incident.

"Luna? But how?" Kakashi asks, now entirely focused on the pair across from him.

"it must've been Kaguya. But we don't know much else as of right now" Sasuke sighed, frustration eating away at him and his lack of understanding about the whole thing.

He wished he could just protect her from every little danger the world fronted her with, but how could he if her number one enemy was trapped in her mind?

"She's torn up sensei it's horrible! I honestly left the house for a bit to give her some sense of peace. She's been locked in her room and barely lets us inside anymore" Haru says, running a hand through her hair and glancing back at Sasuke who shares the concerned look.

Kakashi stayed silent for a moment, clearly processing the bombshell of information that Haru just threw his way. This was bad, his instincts telling him that this could truly be the beginning of something huge, far beyond the scope of anything they've ever experienced as ninja.

Kaguya was a threat that nearly wiped out shinobi society as a whole. And even now she remains as a mysterious entity, her presence in the lives of Haru's family only calls for more questions, more concern. Kakashi could only wonder what was to come of this.

What did Kaguya want? How did Haru escape from her comatose state all those years ago? Why was Haruki shown a vision of Luna's untimely demise? How did Haru and Haruki's lineage link themselves to this entire mess? And what would come next?

The questions arising in Kakashi's head swirled and swarmed, but he figured that no one could be more concerned by any of this than the couple standing before him.

Though he wanted to voice his questions to them, he knew that his own questions were the same ones that have probably gone through their heads hundreds of times as Haruki's very own parents.

Kakashi's attention to detail has always been impeccable, and this was no exception.

He noticed the way Haru would bow her head a bit when she couldn't hold back the solemn look on her face when she thought no one was looking. He noticed how Sasuke's arm wrapped around Haru just a bit tighter than usual, he'd glance at her with worry in his eyes; somehow not masking it despite his reservations when it came to showing such emotions in public.