A Kikaichū landed on my notebook. I dropped my pen and sighed. That could only mean one thing. Suddenly I spotted a silhouette sitting calmly next to me.

"And?" I asked and turned my head to stare at Muta Aburame.

I closed my notebook and leaned back in my chair. It's not like I could write anymore.

"You didn't visit the Temple today." he evaded my question.

His eyes were obscured by his glasses, so I was unable to get a read on him. Not that I would have been able to anyway.

"I didn't feel like it." I answered honestly.

Today, the local Temple tested a young boy to see if he was reincarnated. And most importantly, if he still remembered. Reincarnated souls were not an oddity, but remembering it was. And the tests were accurate. I never was able to hide the truth. They knew right from the start. I was shocked when my mother absentmindedly mentioned it when I was still a child.

The only thing I could be happy was, was that I was born into a sect. Those were words I thought I would never utter. Most people thought we're a bunch of crackpots and I wasn't planning to change their perception on this. It granted me safety. And who would have believed me anyway? Thank God, they didn't consider us to Chosen Ones. Unlike that offshoot group located right outside Kiri. Those people were nuts.

He hummed. "You change your mind frequently."

I lifted my eyebrow. "I know."

The fact that I never had to hide myself from my mother was a big relief. I would've never told her otherwise and that would have strained our relationship. But that didn't mean that I wanted someone to end up here like me. I didn't want to be reminded of what I lost.

That was a lie. I stared at my hands as I twisted the golden bracelets around my left wrist.

Deep in my heart, I sometimes wished that there was someone who would understand me. Like truly understand me.

Muta sighed. "Are you unhappy?"

"With my life? No." I swallowed the large lump that had formed in my throat. "My life isn't bad. But deep in my heart, I sometimes wish that there was someone who would understand me. Like truly understand me."

"We are the same. You can talk to me. I know we are not close, but I consider you a friend."

"We are the same, but also different. Life is not that much different compared to the Warring Era. Things have only turned better… Also, you can see your family each day. And I can't. They are here." My voice cracked.

"The Hyūga were never much of a family." he said darkly. "Not like yours. You never talk about your old life. About life before the Sage."

"With life? No." I stared at the table. "I don't have a bad life. It's just not my life. I miss home. I miss my family. I miss everything. Even being stuck in traffic for hours." I chuckled. "But you wouldn't understand what I mean with that anyway. I just… I don't think it will over go away, but there are some moments I just feel it more deeply."

"It's different. I miss home. I miss my family. I miss everything. But I believe its better not too reminisce too much. I can never have that back. And it makes me feel ungrateful."

"You have suffered."

I shook my head. "Hardly. It's nothing. Immigrants do it all the time. There are worse things in life."

"Yours was abruptly."

"So was yours. But still it's not an excuse. How many people didn't have to uproot their lives throughout history? Yet, I'm uncapable of it. Sometimes I wonder if I'm broken. Too stuck in my old ways."

"You are only…"

"Civilian." I interrupted him.

His shoulders sagged.

"You never answered my question."

"No, and yes. His soul is an old one. But he has no memories."

"His parents must be pleased."

"Aren't they always." he smiled wryly.

I'll be honest when I saw Mikoto Uchiha in the Anime, I kinda thought she looked like basic. I'm not saying she was ugly, but she was definitely not part of my top 10 attractive female characters in Naruto. Unlike her male clansmen. Madara. Shisui. Older Shisui, not the baby Shisui I sometimes see accompanying the Uchiha Police Force in their patrols.

I thought she was underwhelming. Surprisingly so.

The first time I saw her in person my jaw literally dropped. When she walks by everyone's head turns. She's that kind of person.

11/10.

From the corner of my eye, I saw her elegantly walk by while I lugged the grocery bags. Drops of sweat trickled down my face and my hair was frizzy. Her back was beautifully straight, and she never turned her head even though she could clearly hear people whispering about her.

Damn, she was goals. Was there some Chakra trick that allowed you like that even though it's scorching hot outside?

One of the greatest mysteries in my life was how Fugaku was able to marry a woman like that.

"Sora-chan."

Speak of the devil.

I turned around. Fugaku' eyes twinkled, as he held three large shopping bags in his hands.

"Hello Uchiha-sama, busy day shopping?"

A sheepish smile tugged the corners of his lips. "My wife, yes."

I nodded impressed. She had him completely whipped. "Good for her."

"Do you need help?" He glanced at my hands.

I shook my head. "Not at all. I can handle it on my own."

His face changed as he looked behind me. It became softer. I turned around and saw Mikoto Uchiha looming closer.

"You remember Sora-chan, don't you?" he called out.

Confused I knitted my eyebrows, as I tried to recall a memory of meeting her in person. I definitely wouldn't forget about that.

A charming smile appeared on her face. "Yes, I do. You wouldn't remember it, but we met when you were still a baby. My husband used to babysit you."

My eyes widened and I took a step backwards. "You used to babysit me?"

"Sometimes. When the hospital was understaffed during the war and there was no one else."

He shifted the bags to one hand. He leaned forward and grabbed my bags in his other hand. From the corner of my eyes, I could see people looking appealed in our direction. I straightened my back. The tide had already started to shift. The people were not as kind to the Uchiha as they used to be.

"Thank you." I said gratefully.

He nodded his head, as we walked.

"I didn't know you knew my mother that long?"

"Oh yes, I know her since she was a young girl."

"The old Uchiha compound was not too far from where your grandparents used to reside." Mikoto added. "How is Azami-san doing?"

"She's fine, but busy. She's currently making a house call at a farm just outside the borders of the village."

"Nothing too serious I hope?" Fugaku glanced at me.

I shook my head. "Only a delivery. If everything goes according to schedule, she will be back tomorrow morning."

"Are you staying alone?" Mikoto cocked her head, surprised.

It was ridiculous. Children could become ninja at a young age. But there was this unspoken rule that civilian women, who still had living family, couldn't stay alone at home without a chaperone. Even for one night. It was not done. Sleeping somewhere else. Yes. But staying home alone. No, that was horrifying.

"No, I will be staying with my father today." I answered carefully.

Fugaku's face soured. He never hide his dislike for my father. I honestly couldn't blame him.

Mikoto carefully smiled and changed the subject.

Sometimes I truly hated my father. He was a pig. I scrubbed the toilet seat, while he was lounging around in the living room. He was tired. Or that is what the claimed. Two weeks ago, he returned from his mission. And he hasn't cleaned his house once.

Asshole.

Frustrated, I stood up and walked into the large kitchen. It was a mess. Everything was a mess.

Horrified I looked into the fridge. "Maybe you could help me out?" I screamed. I almost barfed when I threw out a completely covered in mold item. I'm pretty sure it was a tomato by the shape of it.

"You like cleaning. I would only get in the way." he drawled.

I narrowed my eyes. "I hate cleaning."

"Then why are you always cleaning when you visit?"

Maybe because you are disgusting. Frustrated I bit my lip to keep myself from blurting that out.

"Because you are a slob."

"I've not had any women complain. And plenty have visited."

I rolled my eyes. "I don't want to hear about your conquests."

"It's natural. I'm a man. I have needs."

I grabbed the trash bags and put them in the bin.

"I know. But I still don't want to hear about it. When you date someone serious, you can tell me about it."

I walked into the living room. My father was lazing around on the couch. He was twirling a cigarette in his hand.

"I've not been in any since the divorce. Is your mother seeing anyone?"

He looked up. His green eyes looked curious at me.

"No." I answered truthfully.

"Nineteen years is a long time to be single. I couldn't do it." he answered a bit impressed.

I glared at my lap. Every child was born with two parents, but what was sad was that sometimes only one of them made all the sacrifices. He was a deadbeat father. And looking at his behavior I couldn't blame my mother for divorcing him when she was still pregnant with me. It might have been a big societal taboo, but she definitely made the right decision. 100%

If it were up to me, I would go no contact. But I didn't want to break my mother's heart. I only did it for her.

"How about you?"

I looked up. He lit up his cigarette with his finger and inhaled.

I rubbed my temples. "What about me?"

"Are you seeing anyone?"

"No."

An amused look appeared on his face. "No one wants a woman past the freshness of her youth. And you are getting there."

"I'm focusing on my career." I answered sugar sweet. "I don't want to settle down yet."

"Don't be ridiculous. Your career?" he laughed. "It's not like you are a kunoichi. Don't be so picky and settle down."

'And maybe you should act like your age.' I thought bitterly. Man-child.

He looked bemused. "Surely, you are not offended. If I'm not honest with you, no one else will be."

I forced a smile on my face. "Of course not, father. I know that"

He didn't deserve that title. I had three parents in my life. My previous parents and my mother. He couldn't hold a candle to my real father.

Guess who updated? Me!

First, I want to thank everyone who has taken time to review. I've reread your reviews several times these last couple of weeks. They truly spark joy. Also, I posted this fic on . So, if you prefer . You can check it out there.

Another thing, it's late right now and I have to go to bed. So if you guys see any mistakes. You know why. You would see them regardless. As I'm not a native speaker. I probably need a beta. Not only for grammar, but like in general. LOL

We haven't seen little Naruto in a while, so you guys will probably see him the next chapter. I can't make any promises though.

But I included Fugaku. Can you believe he voluntarily babysit for Azami? I didn't. Neither did Sora.

Seeing people liked the poll during the last chapters: Which Naruto character do you think is completely underrated in the fandom?

Well for me personally. Almost all of them. But if I have to be more specific. Yamato and Sai. They were part of team 7. But it's like everyone forgets that. Considering their role. You would think you would find more content about them.

I should shut up. I'm going to bed. Have fun reading this!