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Disclaimer: This story utilises characters, situations and premises that are copyright Masashi Kishimoto, Shueisha, Shonen Jump and Viz media. No infringement on their respective copyrights pertaining to episodes, novelisations, comics or short stories is intended by KuriQuinn in any way, shape or form. This fan-oriented story is written solely for the author's own amusement and the entertainment of the readers. It is not for profit. Any resemblance to real organizations, institutions, products or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

All plot and Original Characters except for those introduced in the canon books, manga, video games, novelizations and anime, are the sole creation of KuriQuinn. (© KuriQuinn 2016- )

Canon-Compliance: Takes place during the Blank Period.

AN: Based on a Friday Fic Request on my tumblr. It ended up becoming part of the Legacy of Fire canon. Oops? Anyhow, hope it makes up for the fact there was no IOG this week. If you follow my updates on tumblr, you know it's because I am fighting a chapter that doesn't want to be written. Also, if you haven't been following me on tumblr too, there are a number of fic I have published there that are not on this site for various reasons. Do check them out :)

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Their first night back in Konoha, they stay at Sakura's parents' house.

It's not exactly what Sasuke would prefer (his relationship with his in-laws is tenuous at best), but there's not much choice in the matter. He and his wife didn't exactly leave a house behind when they left the village, putting that matter off until they returned from their journey, and he has no intention of imposing on Naruto or Kakashi.

As it is, he gets the shock of his life when Mebuki Haruno, upon seeing Sarada cradled in Sakura's arms, gives a shriek of joy and hooks both her daughter and Sasuke around their necks, forcing them into one of the most awkward embraces he has ever experienced. Sarada begins to fuss at the noise, Sakura complains and Sasuke can't help sputter in shock when his mother-in-law plants two large, wet kisses on either side of his face.

He wonders if maybe he didn't accidentally activate his Rinnegan and enter a separate dimension.

Mebuki spends the rest of the evening, when she isn't cuddling or cooing over Sarada, ruffling Sasuke's hair and squeezing his shoulders with something like pride and affection.

Considering the woman once flat out told him she hated him, Sasuke is understandably rattled.

Kizashi is also much more mellow than Sasuke remembers him being, offering him a book of crossword puzzles and suggesting, "You look like a man in need of a distraction."

Rather than get caught up in stilted small-talk, Sasuke accepts the offering and spends the rest of the night in tolerable silence. Once Sakura finishes nursing Sarada after dinner, he can excuse himself under the pretense of putting the baby to sleep while allowing his wife to catch up with her family.

Our family too, I suppose, he thinks as he sits beside his sleeping infant daughter.

Given that the Uchiha number a grand total of three, they can't really afford to be choosy.

The next day, the peace comes to an end, as over a lavish breakfast, Mebuki starts in on the questions—what their plans are, where do they intend to live, will Sasuke be getting a job, when will Sakura return to the clinic, if they intend to hire a babysitter—

Sakura, being the chatty individual that she is, gets pulled into the conversation, and Sasuke, feeling very out-of-place, quietly takes his leave. There are matters he must see to anyhow, and as unpleasant as they are, they're preferable to this.