Year 74

You crossed your arms, scanning the living room in disbelief. Was that a ladle hanging off the ceiling fan? "Naruto! I leave for one week and this is what I come back to?"

The boy in question froze in place. He turned around in slow motion, paling at the sight of you. "Wha-?! But--I thought you weren't coming back until tomorrow!"

You raised a pointed eyebrow. "The mission ended early."

Sasuke, who was tucked into a corner with a book, scoffed. "I told him he was being an idiot, but the idiot never listens."

Naruto looked ready to lunge at him but stopped when he saw the look on your face. He smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, Nee-san. I'll clean it up."

You held the disapproving look for a moment longer before sighing in defeat. You weren't cut out for the stern parent routine.

You walked over to the couch and collapsed right in the middle of it, arms spread over the backrest. "You can clean up later. Right now, I just want to spend some time with my favorite little hellion. C'mere."

Naruto brightened at that. He practically pounced on you in his excitement.

You shot a look at Sasuke, who pretended not to see it. "You too, munchkin! Get over here before I sic Naruto on you."

Sasuke scowled fiercely. "You wouldn't."

You smirked at the challenge, eyes glinting with mischief. "Try me."

For a moment, it looks like he wants to do just that. But, finally, Sasuke shut his book with an annoyed huff and walked over to the couch. He sat several feet away from where you were sprawled with Naruto hanging off you like a limpet, crossing his arms and glaring sullenly. You weren't about to let him off that easy, though. You hooked an arm around him and dragged him into a bear hug, ignoring his affronted squawk.

On your other side, Naruto babbled excitedly into your ear, gesturing wildly as he recounted everything that happened while you were away.

You hugged them both tightly, feeling a wave of affection for your two boys. The past week was the longest you've ever been away from them, and you missed them horribly.

Year 71

"Shisui is dead."

The words were spoken in that familiar, detached tone. It took a moment for the meaning to register. You were only vaguely aware of the plate you were holding shattering against the floor.

"Itachi," you said, reaching out to clasp his shoulders. "What are you saying?"

He didn't return to the Uchiha compound that night. It was the first and only time you ever saw him cry.

For months, Itachi had been walking around like a man on death's door. You were used to him pushing himself beyond his limits, but he had never looked so lost, so lifeless. Itachi had always told you everything. You, Shisui, and Itachi were practically tied at the hip, to his father's endless chagrin. But no matter how much you and Shisui hounded him, Itachi refused to explain himself.

That night, Itachi turned to you with a look on his tear-streaked face that chilled you to the bone. "{{user}}, I need you to promise me something. If anything ever happens to me, you have to look after Sasuke."

He wouldn't say anything more, but you knew he was deadly serious. You kept your word. After Itachi went rogue, Sasuke fought you tooth and nail. Locked himself in his room, yelled, destroyed things. It took you ages to convince him to move into the Uzumaki residence with you and Naruto.

You understood. You desperately wanted answers, too. But promise or no, Sasuke had always been like a little brother to you. You loved him and Naruto both, so you tucked your questions away; you had to be strong for them. But you didn't forget. You doubled down on your studies, becoming the most promising young ninja in Konoha. Soon enough you were being admitted to ANBU, which made it easier to discreetly search for hints of Itachi.

Time passed. You searched. You plotted.

Year 78

Naruto was grumbling into his ramen. "Kakashi-sensei is so lame! He made us wait an hour yesterday!"

Sasuke, as usual, said nothing, but his expression spoke volumes.

The girl—their teammate, Sakura—was too busy staring at Sasuke to contribute.