A Blessing in Disguise

Chapter 10 - Rest

I'm back. I was going to write a few days ago but I got really busy.

A lot of things are piling up on my plate and it's not all good but I guess I'm fine.

Oh, if any of you readers are Armys, wow you should definitely go to the concerts one day. It was amazing!! They are absolutely stunning in person and I can't-

Anyways, let's get back to the story!

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Three weeks had past and there was still no sign of Shisui or Aki's dad. As if time had slowed down for Aki and her family, those three weeks felt like three months. Although Aki's mom was trying to hide her worry for her husband, Aki couldn't help but notice and be affected as well.

"Aki-chan, could you be a dear and fold the rest of the laundry for me? It's almost lunchtime and mom has to prepare!"

"Hai, okaa-san. Is there any more I can help with?" Aki replied tentatively.

After the first few days without Shisui, Aki realized her focus couldn't last as long during training and resorted to studying theories in the library. However, near the second week, mother had started to act strange and she couldn't help but worry. She was usually very calm and patient when dad was on a mission. Yet Aki's mother started fretting over her more often and occasionally spaced out. So, Aki decided it would be beneficial for both of them to spend more time at home.

"No, Aki-chan. But thank you for the offer! You're such a sweet child." Mother gushed.

Humming a weird tune, Aki's mother started fixing their lunch for the day.

Suddenly, she yelped.

Aki, sensing something had happened, quickly went over to her mother. In the kitchen, her mother was holding her left hand tenderly. There was a bit of blood oozing out from a cut that was presumably accidentally made while handling the kitchen knife.

"Okaa-san, are you alright?" Aki worriedly asked.

Mother held a faraway gaze that reflected various emotions that Aki could not identify.

"I hope your father is alright." She spoke quietly.

It was frequent moments like these that made Aki worry. Her mother was acting stranger and Aki couldn't help but pray her father comes home quickly.

"Namikaze-san should be with dad right? Since they're one of the best partners in Konoha, they will be fine! We have to be patient for daddy, I bet they're on their way back okaa-san!" Aki cheerfully replied.

She may have been different from children her age, but sometimes she had to act a bit more childish for the happiness of her family.

Her mother looked down at Aki, her eyes soft with love.

"You're right Aki," she gently smiled, "we have to trust him to come home. You are our sweet little treasure, he will come home for you."

Then, she squeezed Aki into a tight warm hug before telling her to get the medic kit to treat her wound.

After the little accident, they enjoyed their lunch together.

"Hm, Aki-chan? Could you do an errand for me? We're missing a few ingredients for dinner."

Aki watched her mother look through the food cabinet and write down the things she needed to buy. It would be a good opportunity to take a short stroll outside. She was starting to miss the warmth of the sunlight and vibrant colors of the village. In her past life, she was a couch potato but sometimes you just had to get a breath of fresh air.

"Here you go, be careful!" Her mother waved as she left from the front door.

It was sunny outside with a slight chill in the air as it was fall. The birds were chirping and children were playing around as the villagers chatted through the streets. No one would assume there was a war currently destroying lives outside while the village was this peaceful. It was quite deceiving.

Enjoying the nice weather, Aki swiftly strolled through the markets, trying to get the best price for the things she needed to buy. It was easy since she was still a cute child and with a little bit of pouting, they would give in.

Readjusting her grocery bags filled with food and other goodies the vendors gave her, Aki turned to head home before someone caught her eye. A beautiful woman with navy long hair was walking close by with her hand tightly holding an equally pretty boy's hand.

Ah, it's Mikoto-san and... Itachi-san.

Her parents were good friends so it would be rude for her not to greet them.

"Good afternoon Mikoto-san and Itachi-san." She politely bowed in front of them.

Itachi eyed her curiously as he did not miss her use of his first name.

"Ara, Aki-chan! You've grown so big already. Are you running an errand for Kana-chan?" Mikoto gently inquired.

"Yes, I'm buying the ingredients for tonight's dinner."

"My, my, it was as if yesterday that you were still struggling to talk. You're already helping your mother all by yourself. Ah, Itachi-kun do you remember Aki-chan?" Mikoto smiled looking down at her son.

"I apologize, I do not remember seeing her before. Good afternoon..." Itachi answered wandering what to address her as.

"It's Aki Inoue." Aki politely informed.

"Ah, Inoue-san. It seems we have met before?"

Aki couldn't help but frown at his manner of speech and she did not miss his hesitance to call her by her first name.

"Itachi-kun, you might have been too young to remember. Aki-chan used to be your playmate when I visited her mother. You might have heard of her. Aki-chan is the daughter of Sasaki and Inoue."

Itachi's eyes slightly widened in recognization of Aki's parents and he turned to look at Aki. On the other hand, Aki couldn't help but giggle at her memories of young Itachi.

"Aki-chan it has truly been a while, do you want to come over for tea?" Mikoto asked with a sparkle in her eyes.

Aki didn't have anything else to do for the day so she had no reason to reject the offer. However, she couldn't help but be worried about leaving her mother alone at home especially after the accident this morning.

She took a low bow, "I apologize Mikoto-san, but my mother may worry if I am gone for too long. I have to help her with a few more things at home." Aki replied.

"Oh, well another time then. Tell your mother I will visit her soon. Take care Aki-chan." Mikoto smiled.

Itachi blinked and a beat later said, "Goodbye, Inoue-san."

Aki respectfully bowed once more and headed home. She couldn't ignore Mikoto telling her son to be more friendly as she walked away.

From observation, Mikoto did not seem pregnant yet with Sasuke. Itachi, on the other hand, had grown well. Aki knew he was going to be a very handsome yet pretty boy since he was a baby. Uchiha genes were unfair and with Mikoto-san as his mother, it was only natural. She couldn't help but gush a little at how cute he's gotten through the years. The anime did not do him justice.

Pleased, Aki hummed as she merrily skipped home. She didn't miss the flash of silver hair on the roof as she left the market.

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I'm really hungry right now.

Message to self: please stop skipping meals

So, my goal is to update a chapter every weekend. It's will most probably be on Sunday but sometimes I get busy so I may update earlier. Like today!

Next week is going to be so so tiring. :(