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Ch 6: The first talk of many

"How come your parents aren't over here?" Naruto complained to Sakura. Naruto couldn't help but be annoyed by their absence. He could tell Sasuke was a little peeved about it too even though the Uchiha wasn't saying anything. Why were him and Sasuke the only ones whose parents they needed to have a sit down with? Sakura's mom and dad should be here too. Naruto didn't like that Sakura's parents were being excluded from the conversation. It wasn't fair.

"Well, they're civilians, Naruto. Ninja things kind of go over their head. They don't have to sit around talking about missions, team status's or Orochimaru. Besides they already really like you and Sasuke."

"They do?" Naruto wondered having really only remembered meeting Sakura's parents a handful of times. He was sure Sasuke had interacted with them even less than him. Had they made that much of an impression on the rare occasions when they'd pick Sakura up?

"Of course, I tell them about you two all the time whenever we're having dinner. They know how good you two are to me."

Naruto exchanged a look with Sasuke. Their eyes met. Well, that was something at least.

"I still don't get it." Naruto shook his head tearing his gaze away from Sasuke before he could do something stupid like stare too long and get lost in the depths of his dark eyes. "Why does that mean they don't have to sit here too?"

"It's because they actually respect the decisions she makes. They see how much she cares about us. It's obvious."Sasuke replied playing with his cup of tea, the liquid swishing around inside. A small scowl on his face. He was being bitter but who could really blame him? Everything was going to shit for him. He was still pretty shaken from almost getting his head taken off. "They trust their child." The comment was pointed. His eyes lifted from his tea and he glared at his father. Properly. Viciously. A look that he should have given the man years ago. With Sakura and Naruto beside him he was finally brave enough to level him with it. Even if he had fought against Danzo for him, that didn't just erase everything else. There was so much else. Sasuke couldn't no-he wouldn't just forget that.

"Easy Sasuke...I know a lots happened. Just try to keep your cool. Think of this like a mission debriefing." His eyes wandered to the rest of his genin. He was the only adult voice the three cared to listen to at the moment. "Let's all try not to lash out and say or do anything that we may regret later on, okay?"

He only received two "yes sensei's" from his students. His eye drifted back to the third who'd yet to answer. It was likely the boy was in silent agreement per usual  but Kakashi wasn't taking chances.

"Sasuke, Danzo didn't slice through your vocal chords. You're not mute. Be as snippy as you like but use your words. I want to hear verbal confirmation. Speak up."

"I'm calm." Sasuke smiled, arms crossed over his chest, his eyebrow twitched tellingly. He wasn't calm. Not by any means. No way in hell was he going to be able to stay that way. Too much had happened. He was ready to snap. Like a tree branch that had been pulled backwards with ninja wire until it was at its breaking point. Sasuke was at his breaking point. All one of the adults across from them had to do was trigger him and Sasuke would lose it. There'd be no stopping it this time. Whether he would break or lash out was yet to be seen.

"Right." Kakashi sighed. Well, Sasuke could be commended for trying he supposed. The kids been having to curb his emotions since they got in here. That was asking a lot for someone like Sasuke.  "You're doing very well, Sasuke. Just keep it up for as long as you can. Stay civil. The less screaming that happens the more productive this talk will be." He looked at the two sets of parents seated across. "Shall we begin?"

"Perhaps this would go over better if we spoke to them separately..." Minato hesitantly suggested as he looked to Fugaku and Mikoto. The fourth hokage honestly didn't want to get dragged into whatever drama was going on with the Uchiha family anymore than he already was. With how the youngest Uchiha was glaring well...Minato wasn't thrilled with being lumped in with Fugaku.