Where We Stand (ILYBD Sequel Series)

I Know

First off, I'd like to ask that everyone please read the authors note at the end of this chapter, I'd like to know what you people think. And you can start the video now if you like.

Thank you, now I'll get on with the story.

Chapter 12

The night was drawing to its close as Sasuke found his family and friends falling asleep around him. After the first movie, they had opened presents. One could imagine Sasuke's surprise when he found out Sakura had planned to give the kits gifts she claimed he'd sent. To cover up this sudden problem, he'd made up a story about the clothes being just normal necessities that he would have gotten them anyway.

Not that he was sure the kits understood, but when he saw the clothes, he realized there was no way they were bought for any old occasion. The outfits were clearly meant to be worn to special events, such as Christmas feasts or New Years parties. Either way they were formal wear, matching gold and black shirts with ties, vests, and dark gray khakis for the boys, and an adorable princess dress that matched her brothers' for Mio.

The real gifts from Sasuke were wooden practice swords, that Sakura had scowled upon seeing, for Hiro and Zero, and a music box for their little sister. Pachelbel's Canon still played from the small box as he moved to close it. The three kyuubi kits had fallen asleep in their fort, cuddled up to one another with the small ovular box cradled by the ginger kit's many tails.

She had yet to let it go, just as her brothers had yet to place down their swords. Sasuke smirked as he circled a blanket around them, keeping their head uncovered in the middle. He gently caressed each ones hair before kissing their foreheads.

"Sweet dreams little ones." He whispered, as he moved to throw a blanket over the sleeping jinjuriki not far from them. He didn't even know when the blonde had fallen asleep, but he almost chuckled out loud when he saw the dope clinging to the wooden bear carving he'd brought from the north.

His gaze lifted to the other occupants of the room. Hinata had fallen asleep on the recliner, not far from where the kits and Naruto lay. Sakura had already pulled a blanket over the snoozing Hyuuga. The pinkette herself looked ready to drop, he noted, as he saw his old teammate wishing farewell to the last remaining members of their team.

Kakashi and Sai had stayed awake of course, even helped pick up after everything was done with. The avenger rose to his feet, going to join the kunoichi and two shinobi.

"Thank you Sakura, it was a wonderful evening." Kakashi was saying as he came into earshot. The jounin raised his gaze to the raven as he approach, and Sasuke was sure her was smiling. "You'll have to come visit me in my office tomorrow, I want to hear about everything you've been doing."

That was his nice way of saying he wanted to know if the lead and his leaving had paid off. The Uchiha grimaced, but nodded. "I'll be there."

Sai smiled his so real it almost looked fake smile. "Good evening, Sakura-chan, Sasuke-kun." With that he bowed his head and left, the sixth with him.

Sakura sighed a little as she finally closed the door. She looked exhausted, as though she'd been fighting Naruto's stupidity all day. Then again she probably had been before he came.

"You should get some rest too, Sakura."

He arched a brow when she laughed, shaking her head. "Oh no, you're not getting rid of me that easily. I want to hear all about your travels." That's what he had been afraid of. He didn't want to tell anyone just yet.

His grimace made her smile drop, concern flooding into her emerald orbs. Great, just what he needed, any moment she was going to bring up his very reason for leaving and throw his failure back in his face.