Full summary: Yamanaka Ino, a teacher and caregiver in Futaba Hoikuen, a private nursery school in Kiri, is intrigued by her favorite student, Haruno Sarada. The adorable little girl has caught her attention with her pretty face and sweet behavior, but what if she finds an unexpected story surrounding her background?

Meanwhile, Ino has always been proud to call herself a hardcore fangirl of the current most popular boyband in their country, The Falcons. However, never once in her life did she ever expect that she would personally get involved with the boyband, led by Uchiha Sasuke, themselves, so is this like a dream comes true for her?

Or instead the start of something big that will happen with her as the trigger?

Disclaimer: NARUTO and its characters belongs to Kishimoto Masashi. I also don't own any real life brands mentioned in the story.
Warning: Mention of something that could be triggering for some people. Not everything I write here reflects my point of view in real life.

As usual, that girl is always the last one to be picked up.

I sigh, feeling sorry for her. Under the reddening sky, she plays with the sand alone in the yard. The children in this hoikuen have all been picked up by their family members, except for this little one.

"Sarada, still not going home yet?" I ask gently. I squat down next to Sarada—that girl's name—and watch her busily filling up a rabbit-shaped cup with sands.

"No, Ino-sensei. Mama is not here yet," she answers, without once taking her attention away from the sand-filled cup in her tiny hands.

Haruno Sarada is one of the students coming to Futaba Hoikuen as of this April. She is still three years old, but I think she is a very talented child. Her vocabularies and the way she speaks are way beyond the average children her age. So far, my impression of her is that she is a pretty nice and obedient child, although is also a little bit too quiet in class, but perhaps that's more because she hasn't got used to her classmates yet.

"It's about to get dark soon so I think it's better for you to play inside rather than outside. How about if we play origami together? I will show you how to make a bird origami if you want."

She looks at me and gives me a wide smile. "Yes, I want to do that please."

This girl is reaaally cute, I just can't… I mean I feel like I could last a day just by pinching those chubby cheeks of hers, but then again if I actually did that she would cry and then I would end up getting scolded by Kurenai-sensei, the hoikuen's principal. But for real though, Sarada is a total cutie. With her shoulder-length ebony hair, dark eyes, and reddened cheeks, I think she will definitely grow up to be a beautiful teenager who is popular with the boys—like how I was back in the day lol.

After we wash our hands, I take her hand and lead her to a classroom. I prepare the colored papers that we are going to use for origami on top of the table before showing her how to make a bird shape from a piece of a paper. Seeing her struggle with her own origami—to the point that some slight wrinkles are forming on her forehead—is really adorable.

I can say that Sarada is my most favorite student here—even though she's been attending this hoikuen only for two weeks. I know I shouldn't actually be playing favorites as a teacher, but it can't be helped; this child has caught my eye even from the beginning.

Not only her sweet face and behavior that stand out, but it's also the fact that Sarada is always the last one to be picked up by her family and go home. Basically, the hoikuen or nursery school is a facility offering day care and education for young children up to 5 years old whose parents are busy with work or other activities for the day. Therefore, the normal time for the parents to come get their children is after the normal working hours end or around 5 to 6 PM.

However, in Sarada's case, it is quite different. Her mother can only pick her up at around 7 PM at the latest when the sky has become completely dark, and even until this day I still remember that one time when she came a bit later than usual.

Due to that, Sarada has always been the last child left after the hoikuen's working hours end.

Tenten-sensei, one of the caregivers here, and I are usually the ones accompanying Sarada until her mother came picking her up. As far as I know, her mother is a medical student. I know that because I have talked with her for a brief moment after she came a bit later than usual. I also think she's around my age, judging by her appearance only, perhaps around 20 or 21 years old.

Well, to be honest, I didn't know that university students can be that busy to the point that they come home late in a daily basis. I never attend one after all. After graduating from high school, I chose to work and immediately become part of society when normally high school graduates will continue to university. I did several part-time jobs until I took a chance part-timing in this hoikuen and after two years in, I was finally appointed as a full-time staff.

And after a few years working in this field, this is the first time I encounter a situation as unique as Sarada and her mother. Honestly speaking, it's not only because how sweet the former is, and not only because of how the latter is still a student yet always comes home late in the evening.

…but also—

"Sarada, your Mama is finally here to pick you up!" Tenten-sensei's voice was heard, interrupting my train of thoughts and distracting Sarada from the bird origamis she's been folding for the last fifteen minutes—she learns very quickly by the way.

"Mama!" Sarada shouts, looking excited. She then looks at her origami before directing her dark eyes towards me. "Ino-sensei, can I bring my origami with me? Oh, and some colored papers too?"

"You want to show them to your Mama?" I asked and she nods. "If that's the case then of course you can! What colors do you want?"

"Red, pink, and purple!"

Sarada is truly adorable I'm telling you.

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Coming Home To You

by Yuno Tootsuki

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Chapter 1

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"You know what, if I'm lucky enough to have children, I want to have one like Sarada," I say randomly and position my back on the sofa more comfortably.

"Before you have children, you should find a husband first."

My eyebrows furrow at that, and then I throw a pillow at the source of the voice—which is none other than Temari, my best friend, of course. Temari is Shikamaru's wife and Shikamaru is my childhood friend as well as my neighbor. After he graduated from the police academy, he basically becomes so busy even in the weekends. So, Temari and their two-year-old son, Shikadai, often visit my apartment whenever Shikamaru is at work.

And usually during Shikadai's nap time, Temari and I would just relax in the living room and chat while reading magazines or watching television at the same time. Bluntly speaking, both of us actually belong to the stubborn and headstrong type of women, and often times we would find ourselves on the opposite ends during an argument, yet somehow, she's never failed becoming my comfort zone to basically talk about everything with.

Precisely because of the differences in our way of seeing things, I often confide and ask for her opinion. She knows a lot about me—like for instance my favorite food, the lipstick brand I use, and even my love story from elementary school until now. She would often tease me who's currently single, and sometimes she likes to match-making me with her youngest brother just because we're at the same age—Temari is the most annoying when she's like that and besides I know that Gaara, her brother, already has his own long-time girlfriend back in their hometown.

My point is, it's no longer a strange occurrence that she would tease me again at this exact moment and, although I probably look like I'm angry from the outside—especially after throwing that poor pillow at her, she knows that not even a single strand of my hair is angry at or even offended by her words.

Instead, she would throw the pillow back at me calmly and continue reading the magazine as if nothing has ever happened in the first place. And she does exactly just that.

"Don't try having a child before a husband, Ino." Temari continues to comment. Well, as you can see, she's rather a conservative one at that.

"Yeah, I know," I say as a response, hugging the pillow close to my chest, "you know I've always been careful even with all my exes. So chill woman."

She nods and we go into a comfortable silent after that. I switch the television channels one by one, looking for any interesting broadcasts, but I can only find news and more boring news. So disappointing. However, it is at that precise moment when something suddenly comes across my mind.

"Speaking of children out of wedlock," I start, "I think that could be the right thing to describe Sarada."

"Hm, what do you mean?"

"I've told you before that Sarada's mother is a single mom, haven't I? And so, adding to that, I think she's never been married before either."

"You asked her that in person?"

"No, I didn't. I mean you just can't ask something as personal as that to someone you barely know, and on top of that she's also the parent of my student. If she's personally offended then I could as well be fired and my career would end," I sneer.

"It's instinct." I continue. "A woman's instinct to be precise."

"Since when your instincts are ever right, huh? And I don't think it's morally right to just assume something you have no idea about. Especially, just like what you've said, about a person you barely know."

"But I don't just randomly assume things out of nowhere, Temari. It's just that yesterday I found something really odd about Sarada." I try to recall what happened when the kids were taking a nap yesterday. "At that time, I was looking through the students' personal data to find an emergency number of a kid who fell down on the stairs, and in the middle of it I accidentally looked through Sarada's and guess what I found?"

Temari turns her full attention at me. It seems like she's become interested in this topic. "No idea. What?"

"The column regarding her father is completely empty. There's absolutely nothing written there. Not even his name," I reply, the images of Sarada's data still lingering in my mind. "I can't help but think that the reason why there's no data about the father perhaps is because he doesn't want to be responsible? And if he really doesn't, then how the heck could there be a possibility of them being married?"

"You have a point there," Temari responds, stroking her chin. "But what if rather than because he doesn't want to be responsible, instead it's simply because he isn't even aware that he has a daughter in the first place?"

"You mean Sarada's mom hides her from her own father?" I shout in bewilderment. "Oh my God, this is like something that comes out of those soapy teenage dramas!"

"Well, it's just one out of many possibilities."

"But then why do you think Haruno-san hides Sarada from her father? If it's about differences in financial status, judging from their appearances, Sarada and Haruno-san definitely come from a family with wealth. Or perhaps…"

"Perhaps?"

"Sarada is the result of… rape…?"

We pause for a moment.

"Don't say such things, Ino! It's impossible right!"

"It's not a good scenario… but there's still a possibility. God forbids but if I were in a position like that, I would never want to have something to do with the person who did it to me anymore, let alone demand a form of responsibility out of him."

"Still…" Temari sighs and massages her forehead softly, "…we'd better stop this conversation because I feel like it's getting a little bit out of hand here, not to mention we are merely assuming things without any solid evidences."

"As expected from the wife of a police officer, huh, because you're starting to talk like your husband," I chuckle. "But you're right. Not that I know much about rape victims, but I don't think Haruno-san could be one of them. I mean, I don't know… I imagine it's such a very traumatic event and I don't think they can just make a full recover quickly, whereas Haruno-san seems like a cheerful person walking on a very bright future, I mean she's even a medical student—a very busy one at that. Not to mention since Sarada is a clever child, perhaps she gets it from her mom."

"Well, you don't know how someone actually is behind what they show on the outside. But still it's not a good idea to assume something like that about someone you don't know on a personal level."

"Yeah, I got it and besides there could be many possibilities beyond that on why Sarada's father isn't included in the data." I ruffle my blonde hair. "Ah… I'm so curious right now! I think it's better to ask the person directly, but before that I need to be close friends with her first so that she can find it comfortable to share the story with me."

"You never change at all. Always easily get curious about all the things that caught your attention."

I stuck my tongue at Temari. How dare she said that about me but… I admit she is kind of right. Back when Shikamaru and her were still mere friends, I bribed him with treats just so that he would tell me who the heck was the girl he was interested in.

Social media used to be not so booming back in the day, and it was rather difficult to find out things about someone, but now is different.

Like maybe I can find out more about Haruno-san if I can just find any social medias she's using. I mean, I don't expect much but it's still better than nothing, right? Moreover, I find it rather impossible for young women like her in this day and age not to have one.

So then I proceed to grab my iPhone and open my Instagram account. I was about to use the search feature when the first post I see on the screen catches my interest.

"Wait whaaat! This is so cool!" I shriek. "Hey, Temari, would you look at this! Sasuke The Falcons is announced as the main cast of the upcoming movie, Coming Home To You. His official account just posted about it in like… several minutes ago."

I give my phone to Temari and she takes it, staring at it in silence for a moment, perhaps reading through the caption.

"You're right. How cool he is. I mean, The Falcons has only just made their first debut about two years ago, don't they? And now the leader is about to make his first big screen debut!" She pauses for a moment. "But can he actually act though?"

"I don't know but his acting in the ads featuring The Falcons is good enough, I guess? But one thing I know for certain is that compared to the other members, he is indeed the most demanded from fans. Like for instance, the tickets for his fan-meetings were always instantly sold out. I guess it's just natural if he's popular enough to make a big screen debut," I said while taking back my phone from Temari. "But, if it's about The Falcons, no matter what I still stan Sai the most."

The Falcons is a boyband from Konoha, a metropolitan city in the neighboring island from our city, Kiri. They are like currently the most popular out of any idol groups in our country. There are five members within the group; Hyuuga Neji, Inuzuka Kiba, Shimura Sai, Hozuki Suigetsu, and their leader, Uchiha Sasuke. Since their first debut under HEBI Entertainment Agency about two years ago, their popularity has skyrocketed, especially after their second single, Girls Like You, was released and stayed for weeks at number one in Konoha Radio Chart.

I can say I'm one of many of their hardcore fangirls. I follow all the members, but I'm actually more of a fan of Shimura Sai. I have like a large collection of his merchandises and been to Sai's fanmeet events twice—that's just how much I stan him to be honest. Even so, I have to admit that their leader, Uchiha Sasuke, is indeed the most talented with the biggest fanbase out of all members in The Falcons.

After all, big screen debut is not something your usual idol can achieve in such a short amount of time, right?

"Coming Home To You… if I'm not mistaken, Uzumaki Karin also got a role in that movie, didn't she?" Temari asked suddenly.

"Oh, the young actress? Yeah, I think it was announced around last week, why?"

"There is this article in the magazine I'm reading…" She turns the page towards me. "It's written here that she's currently rumored to have a close relationship with Sasuke The Falcons. The paparazzi kinda got a picture of Karin having a private dinner with a man in a French restaurant yesterday and to be honest it's not clear who the man was based on the picture alone. But with that unique hairstyle, it's kinda impossible not to recognize who. He's definitely Sasuke The Falcons, of course."

Sasuke The Falcons does have a rather unique hairstyle. "Hm, I do think that's indeed actually him."

"If it turns out that Sasuke is also selected for the movie, isn't it possible that their closeness is just a stunt for promotion?" Temari said again. She loves celebrity gossips so much I swear she's now enjoying this. "Or are they genuinely close with each other?"

I shrug. "I don't know. I don't know much about him after all. It's different when it comes to Sai though. Ask me anything about him and I guarantee you I will know the answer," I say grinning, feeling proud.

Temari shakes her face. "You sound exactly like a stalker. Might as well you go date him, or even better what about you marrying him and having his baby? Who knows if your child could just be even more adorable than Sarada, your favorite in the hoikuen."

"Haha, even in dreams, I don't think it would ever happen." I nudge Temari's arm playfully.

"It could be possible, right? No one knows what is going to happen in the future after all."

Whether Temari suddenly has a special power or what, but that night I dream about going out with Sai The Falcons and eventually marrying him. I almost think it was real, until I realize that my child with Sai was actually Sarada and that's exactly the moment I wake up from my sleep.

With a red face, of course.

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To be continued

A/N: First, this story will all be told from Ino's POV, the outsider. Please enjoy it. Second, to be honest I know next to nothing about group idols, so please bear with me if you find anything regarding it not how it's supposed to be in the real life. And last, English is not my native language so I would appreciate it if you would tell and correct my mistakes when you find any.