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Sasuke spent countless sleepless nights after returning from that alternate reality. Not that he had ever truly enjoyed a good night's sleep before, but this was worse than usual. He found himself tossing and turning, unable to keep still. His eyelids refused to close, as if they were permanently fixed on the white ceiling above him. He couldn't shake the thoughts that plagued his mind, wondering what was wrong with him—why he was so preoccupied with a reality that wasn’t even his own.
Yes, it essentially did belong to him—or at least to an alternate version of him—but in the short time he spent there, a small, selfish part of him felt like he belonged. It felt like this should have been his true reality. Yet, so many questions were left unanswered. How did he and Hinata actually end up together? How could the Hyuga clan ever accept him—a former traitor—to marry their princess? Hinata seemed genuinely happy to be with him, but how did he manage to make her happy when, in his own reality, Sakura was left feeling dysphoric due to his absence and often cold demeanor? And speaking of Sakura, who did she end up with in that reality? Could it be Naruto?
These questions troubled him every night. One night, as he lay awake, Sakura, who was sleeping next to him, turned toward him, her eyes half-closed, still half-asleep. She had grown fully accustomed to them not sleeping in each other's embrace, yet she asked, "What’s bothering you?"
Sasuke was surprised that she had woken up, especially since she had overworked herself at the hospital. "You noticed?"
"Well, we may not touch at night," she replied, making Sasuke wince internally. Point taken, he thought. "But I can feel you shifting in bed. I know when something’s troubling you, Sasuke. I am your wife."
Wife… That word coming from her mouth to describe herself, to describe what she was to him, felt so strange, almost foreign in its context. He never really called her anything other than Sakura though even before stepping into that other world, it would be a rare situation to address her as his wife.
‘’I..’’ he paused for a moment ‘’ I am thinking of staying home for a while, lay low, stay here with you and sarada stop dimension traveling for a while.’’
Her eyes lit up in the darkness upon hearing his words, completely awakening her. "T-That’s amazing! Sarada is going to be so happy when she hears this!" She wrapped her arms around his neck, nuzzling her face into the crook of his neck. It seemed his decision had rekindled a spark in her, while for him, it was a choice made solely to resist the temptation of visiting that other world again.
He sighed and nodded in agreement, forcing himself to give a slight smile as he patted her back. "Go back to sleep. You have work early tomorrow, as always."
For the rest of the night, Sakura slept peacefully on his chest, while he remained awake, his eyes wide open, enduring the hours in silence, unable to find any rest.
//
During his time in Konoha, Sasuke found himself helping Naruto at the Hokage office and spending more time with Sarada. Yet, even as he tried to reconnect, there remained a subtle estrangement between them. He couldn't blame her—or anyone else—but himself.
Sasuke knew he had messed up. Here, in his reality, he had distanced himself from his family, leaving Sakura to raise Sarada on her own. In contrast, in the alternate world, his presence had brought contentment to his wife and children. The difference weighed heavily on him.
He felt the tension with Sarada more often than not. She would sometimes make snarky remarks about his long absences, small jabs that reminded him of the time he had missed and the connection he had neglected to build. He could sense her disappointment, even if she didn't say it outright.
Sakura was upset, though she rarely showed it outright. Her frustration simmered beneath the surface, reflected in the small moments between them. Sasuke could see it in the way she carried herself—her smile never quite reaching her eyes, her words softer, but tinged with an edge. She had spent years raising Sarada alone, and even though she tried to mask her resentment, it was always there, lingering in the air.
Sasuke knew he had let her down, just as he had with Sarada. Unlike the warmth he’d felt in the alternate reality, where his family had been content, here he had distanced himself, emotionally and physically. He had left Sakura to bear the burden, and now it was catching up with him.
Occasionally, Sakura would make offhand remarks—subtle but pointed. “You’re back for now,” she’d say, as if unsure how long he would stay this time. Sasuke had no defense. He could only nod, the weight of his mistakes pressing heavier with each passing day.
Sasuke knew deep down that he couldn’t satisfy Sakura, not in the way she truly deserved. Perhaps he had married her and started a family out of a sense of guilt, a way to atone for all the people he had let down—his friends, his teacher, the village. He knew Sakura loved him unconditionally, had loved him for years, despite everything. But that was the problem. Her feelings for him had always been stronger, deeper, more consuming than his own.
He loved her, yes, but not in the way she loved him. It wasn’t the all-consuming passion she had for him; it was more the love you have for someone who has been by your side for years, a familiar and comfortable bond like that of a friend. He had tried, perhaps out of obligation, to match her devotion, but he knew he had fallen short. The guilt weighed on him, a constant reminder that he wasn’t the husband or father she had hoped for. He could never love her the way she deserved, and that knowledge gnawed at him, deepening the chasm between them.
Still, Sasuke knew he had to show up for his family, even if he couldn't offer them the love they deserved in the way his alternate self had in the other reality. It was the least he could do, a way to make amends for the years he had spent away.
In the alternate world, his presence had made his wife and children happy. They had thrived with him there, something he couldn’t say about his life here. He owed it to them—Sakura and Sarada—to try, to be there, even if he couldn’t bridge the emotional gap completely.
He wasn’t that alternate version of himself, but he could still be a better version of who he was now. It wasn’t too late to be present, even if his feelings didn’t perfectly align with what Sakura had always dreamed of. Showing up was a start, even if that was all he could offer.
//
Sasuke had set a clear goal for himself: to avoid Hinata Uzumaki at all costs. The memory of that alternate reality, where they were married and shared a family, still haunted him. Every time he saw her, it stirred something deep inside—a confusion, a longing for a life that wasn’t his. He couldn’t afford to let those feelings grow or interfere with his current reality.
Hinata was Naruto’s wife in this world, a friend to Sakura, and completely off-limits. Yet, the image of her as his partner, the warmth of the family they had shared, lingered in his mind more than he cared to admit. It made things complicated, and Sasuke wasn’t one to invite complications into his life.
So, he resolved to stay distant, to keep his encounters with her as minimal as possible, not that they ever were frequent but even those small moments were they came across each other. He couldn’t let the echoes of that other life distract him from his responsibilities here, from his real family. Even if avoiding her meant dealing with the unsettling ache of what might have been, it was a price he had to pay.
The last time Sasuke had visited Hinata, he had been tempted to tell her everything about the alternate reality he had experienced. How, in that world, they were married, shared three children, and lived a life filled with warmth and connection. The urge to speak had been almost overwhelming—his mouth had opened, the words on the tip of his tongue. But in the end, all that escaped him was a quiet, dismissive "Hn."
He knew how ridiculous it would sound to her. She would likely view him as a lunatic, talking about a reality that didn’t exist, about a life that wasn’t hers or his. It would only confuse her and raise questions he wasn’t prepared to answer. Worse, it would complicate her relationship with Naruto and stir feelings neither of them should ever acknowledge.
So he stayed silent, burying the truth along with the strange emotions it had awakened. The memory of that other life, of what could have been, was his alone to carry. No one else would understand—not Hinata, not Sakura, not Naruto. It was easier this way, even if it left him with the lingering ache of something lost before it ever truly existed.
//
Sasuke stood in the Hokage’s office, surrounded by the council members as they wrapped up their discussions on diplomatic matters. One by one, the council left the room, leaving only Sasuke behind. He lingered, his mind elsewhere, when something caught his eye—a family photo on Naruto’s desk.
Naruto, Hinata, Boruto, and Himawari were smiling brightly in the picture, radiating the warmth of a family. Sasuke’s gaze lingered on Himawari, and for a brief moment, he felt a jolt in his chest. Her resemblance to Tsukihime, the daughter he’d met in the alternate reality, was striking. The shape of her face, the soft black hair, and even the way her eyes glimmered with a mixture of innocence and quiet strength—it was as if he were staring at a shadow of the life he had glimpsed.
But it wasn’t just Himawari. The way Hinata held her daughter in the picture—the tender grip, the protective embrace—was identical to how she had held Tsukihime in the other universe. It was a small, intimate detail, but it was enough to stir something inside him. The connection between the two worlds felt too close for comfort, blurring the lines between what was real and what had only been a fleeting vision.
For a moment, Sasuke felt an overwhelming urge to reach out, to touch the photo, as if it could somehow bring him closer to understanding the strange parallels between the realities. But he quickly pulled back, forcing himself to look away. That other world wasn’t his, no matter how hauntingly familiar it had become.
Naruto noticed Sasuke staring at the family photo, his expression unreadable yet distant. Walking over, he placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder and sighed. "I get it, you know," Naruto said, his voice softer than usual. "I feel guilty too... for being absent so much. Letting Hinata bear the weight of raising the kids on her own."
Sasuke remained silent, his eyes still lingering on the picture. Naruto’s words struck a chord with him, echoing his own unspoken guilt. They were both bound by duty, but Naruto’s absence seemed to hurt him in ways Sasuke could relate to all too well.
"It’s hard," Naruto continued, leaning against the desk. "I try to make up for it when I can, but sometimes... it feels like no matter what I do, it’s never enough. Hinata never complains, but I can see it. I know she’s tired." He glanced at the photo, the weight of his responsibilities heavy on his face. "And the kids... I see Boruto and Himawari growing up so fast, and I realize how much I’ve missed."
Sasuke clenched his fists, feeling a strange mixture of empathy and unease. Naruto’s words reminded him of his own failures, his own distance from his family. The image of Tsukihime, Seiji, and Hiro flashed in his mind—his children in the alternate reality, happy and content with him around, unlike Sarada and Sakura, who had borne the brunt of his absence.
Naruto looked at Sasuke, his gaze searching. "I’m sure you feel something similar, right? Being away for so long... It’s hard to come back and fit in. Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever be able to make up for it." His tone was heavy, full of regret.
Sasuke finally spoke, his voice low. "Yeah… I know the feeling." But in his mind, it wasn’t just this world’s burdens weighing on him—it was the other reality, the family he could never have, and the life that wasn’t his to claim, that his mind raced back more than often letting a feeling of guilt and shame grow inside him.
//
Sasuke had been making more of an effort to spend time with Sarada lately, determined to bridge the emotional distance between them. Whether it was through training, asking her about her interests, or simply trying to make her happy, he knew he had to do more. But Sarada, always perceptive, seemed to sense his uncertainty.
"Instead of just you and me training," Sarada said one day, "maybe we could train with Boruto? It’d be more fun. He’s been learning some new stuff, and it’s been a while since we’ve trained together as a team."
Sasuke nodded, knowing that she missed her peers and probably wanted to show off her progress. The idea of training with Boruto felt easy enough—it was familiar. But as they made their way to the training grounds, the sight of Hinata, standing off to the side and watching Boruto with a gentle smile, caught him off guard.
Hinata had apparently decided to join them since Himawari was off training with her own team. The moment their eyes met, Sasuke felt a wave of awkwardness wash over him. It was hard enough seeing her after what he had experienced in the alternate reality, but now, being around her while Boruto and Sarada trained, it made the situation even more complicated.
"Hi, Sasuke," Hinata greeted him warmly, her usual kindness in her voice ‘’ I hope you don’t mind that i joined, It’s nice that Sarada and Boruto can train together again."
Sasuke gave a curt nod, keeping his expression neutral. "Hn," he mumbled, unsure of what else to say.
As the kids sparred, Hinata stood beside him, quietly watching her son and Sarada with pride. Sasuke tried to focus on the training, but his mind kept drifting. He couldn’t shake the strange feeling of seeing Hinata like this, knowing how different things were in the other world. The way she smiled, the way she carried herself—it was eerily similar to how she had been with him in that alternate life.
The silence between them stretched on, and Sasuke couldn’t help but feel awkward. Every time she glanced at him or offered a comment about the kids, he felt a tension he didn’t know how to resolve. He didn’t belong in that alternate reality, but here, in this world, being around Hinata still felt too close to something he couldn’t quite understand.
And yet, he had to remind himself: this Hinata wasn’t his, and she never would be.
As Sarada and Boruto called out "Go!" Hinata immediately sprang into action. Her movements were precise and graceful, a testament to her training. Sasuke braced himself, trying to keep up with her relentless assault. His focus was divided between dodging her attacks and managing his growing sense of unease.
Hinata’s attacks were swift and calculated, forcing Sasuke to stay on his toes. As she closed in, he felt a surge of anxiety. Each move she made brought her closer, and with one particularly deft strike, she was mere inches from his face. Sasuke was momentarily startled, his mind flashing back to the kiss they had shared in that alternate reality. The proximity of her lips, even in a training match, sent a jolt through him, making him falter.
Sensing his distraction, Hinata seized the opportunity and delivered a decisive blow. Sasuke staggered back, and the match came to an end with Hinata standing victorious. She offered him a warm, satisfied smile as she caught her breath.
Boruto and Sarada, grinning from ear to ear, approached them. “That was amazing, Mom!” Boruto said, clapping his hands. “You’ve still got it!”
Sarada nodded in agreement. “Yeah, you really gave Sasuke a run for his money. That last move was pretty impressive.”
Sasuke, still catching his breath, forced a smile. “You did well,” he said, his voice somewhat strained. “I didn’t expect you to be that fast.”
Hinata chuckled softly, her eyes meeting his with a hint of mischief. “Well, it’s always good to keep up with the times. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
Sasuke tried to shake off the lingering tension. “I did. It was... a good match.”
Hinata’s smile softened. “I’m glad. It was nice to have a friendly sparring session. I hope you didn’t mind.”
Sasuke hesitated, the awkwardness of their earlier closeness still fresh in his mind. “No, not at all,” he said, though the words felt hollow. “It was... different.”
Boruto’s enthusiasm was contagious as he began discussing their next training session. “We should do this more often! Maybe next time, we can have a full team battle.”
Hinata nodded, her attention shifting to Boruto. “That sounds like a great idea. We’ll see what we can set up.”
As the conversation continued, Sasuke found himself caught between the warmth of the moment and the unsettling echoes of the other reality. He forced himself to engage in the discussion, trying to focus on the present rather than the haunting memories of a life that wasn’t his.
//
Sasuke and Hinata sat on a bench, their eyes following Boruto and Sarada as they practiced their techniques. The late afternoon sun cast a warm, golden hue over the training grounds, and the sound of laughter and focused training filled the air.
Hinata, her gaze soft and contemplative, spoke up. “You know, watching them like this... it’s moments like these that make me think about how much they’ve grown. Sometimes I wonder how different our lives might have been if we had taken different paths.”
Sasuke, his attention divided between the scene before him and his own thoughts, nodded absentmindedly. “Different paths,” he echoed, though his mind was focused on the deeper implications of her words.
Hinata continued, her voice tinged with a reflective tone. “It’s strange to think about how choices can lead us to where we are now. If things had changed just a little, our lives could have been so different. It’s almost as if some things are just meant to happen.”
Sasuke’s heart tightened at her words. The idea of how paths and choices could intertwine struck a chord within him. He recalled the brief glimpse he had of a life where things were drastically different, where he and Hinata shared a different reality. The thought of how their lives might have intertwined in ways he never expected was both intriguing and unsettling.
He turned to look at Hinata, feeling a mix of curiosity and hesitation. “It makes you think, doesn’t it? About how different things could be if circumstances had shifted.”
Hinata smiled, her eyes reflecting a deep sense of understanding. “Yes, it does. It’s fascinating to think about the different possibilities life can offer us, even if we never get to experience them.”
Sasuke nodded, feeling a strong pull towards exploring those possibilities further. Although he didn’t share his own experience with her, the notion of different paths and lives intertwining left him with a lingering sense of curiosity.
As Boruto and Sarada continued their training, Sasuke’s thoughts were already turning towards what he had seen and what might lie ahead. The desire to understand more about the alternate paths and choices that could have shaped his life was growing stronger. He knew he had to seek answers for what he saw in the other reality, why and how the woman that was sitting next to him was married to him. So many questions lingered in his mind that had to be answered so he could have somewhat of a closure.
It was incredible hard to forget, more questions kept popping up in his mind like if he was married to hinata in that universe, who was sakura married to and naruto too? Could it be that in that universe Naruto’s love for Sakura was reciprocated? Was Itachi there alive? were the otsotsuki there also a threat?
//
.A few days later, Sasuke found himself unable to shake the lingering thoughts of the alternate reality he had briefly visited. The allure of understanding how his life could have unfolded differently, and what it meant for his relationship with Hinata, was too strong to ignore.
Under the guise of a mission, he made up an excuse and slipped away from Konoha with no one questioning him as he had declared to his family and the hokage that it would simply be no more than a few days after all no one wanted a potential threat of Otsotsukis rising up. So he found himself traveling once again through the dimensions arriving to the one he had first found himself by mistake.
Sasuke stood outside the house, the cool evening air brushing against his face as he scanned the area with his Sharingan. He wanted to be sure—completely certain—that no one was inside, especially his alternative self, it would overcomplicate things. His senses stretched out, picking up the faint sounds of the neighborhood, but the house before him was silent. The presence of the family he had once glimpsed wasn’t there.
The house was empty.
Satisfied, he moved toward the door. The hesitation from earlier faded, replaced by a steely determination. He swiftly and silently bypassed the locks, slipping inside like a shadow. The warmth of the interior hit him, almost jarring in contrast to the cold exterior of his actions.
He closed the door behind him with barely a sound, standing still for a moment, letting the quiet of the house envelop him. The memories of this place—the alternate life he had seen, the family he briefly belonged to—flooded back. It felt surreal to be here again, but under such different circumstances.
The living room looked exactly as he remembered it, with family photos adorning the walls, a warm atmosphere lingering in the air. He spotted the same family portrait that had caught his attention before: Hinata, himself, and the three children—Tsukihime, Seiji, and Hiro—dressed in traditional attire. The sight of it stirred something inside him, a mix of emotions he couldn’t quite name.
Sasuke’s focus sharpened. He wasn’t here to reminisce; he needed answers. He moved deeper into the house, quietly making his way through the familiar halls. He checked every room to ensure it was truly empty, even passing by the children’s rooms, which were filled with toys and small personal items. The absence of life felt strange, like something important was missing.
Finally, he arrived at the master bedroom—the room he had shared with Hinata in this world. His eyes lingered on the bed, neatly made, the subtle scent of lavender in the air. The room was a reflection of the peaceful life they had together in this reality. Purple drapes hung softly by the windows, the décor simple yet comforting. It was the kind of home he had never truly had, even in his own reality.
As he began his search, Sasuke made sure not to disturb anything too noticeably. He opened drawers, sifted through documents, hoping to find something—anything—that could explain how he and Hinata had ended up together in this version of events. But the more he searched, the more questions he had. How had their paths crossed here? What had made him choose this life?
Despite the growing frustration, part of him was captivated by this life he didn’t remember living. The pieces felt so foreign, yet somehow right. The absence of guilt, the sense of belonging—it was everything he lacked in his real world.
Sasuke stopped suddenly, his hand hovering over a family photo album. He hadn’t come here just for curiosity. He needed to know, to understand. But standing there, looking at the traces of a life he didn’t lead, he also knew he was on the edge of something he couldn’t unsee.
Sasuke’s fingers traced the edge of the photo album, flipping through pages filled with snapshots of a life he never lived. Among the images of family moments and smiling children, he came across something different.
A group photo caught his attention—one of the Konoha 11. They were all older in this picture, likely in their early twenties, and the setting seemed casual, as if they had just returned from a mission. Everyone looked relaxed, grinning or making playful gestures. But what stood out was how he and Hinata, off to the side, were looking at each other, a subtle shyness in their expressions that contrasted with the ease of the rest of the group. He couldn’t recall a single moment like that in his reality making his heart tighten as he traced it with his finger.
The next image was even more striking. It was of him and Hinata alone, standing side by side in what appeared to be the Land of Snow. They were dressed in heavy winter clothing, with snow falling softly around them. His only arm was wrapped around her waist, pulling her close. There was a quiet intimacy in the photo, a comfort and warmth that spoke volumes about their relationship. They both looked different, more mature, but it was the way they leaned into each other that caught him off guard.
He stared at the picture longer than he intended, it must have been at the time where this worldly Sasuke and Hinata started dating…? they were both somewhat reserved and wouldn’t act so freely around unlike the rest. Studying the look in his own eyes, and the gentle smile on Hinata’s face. They looked... happy. Content in a way that he had never experienced, not even in his reality with Sakura.
His mind raced with questions. How had this happened? What had led them to this moment, to this life together? He could feel a tug at his chest, a deep yearning for something he couldn’t name. The warmth in the photo was undeniable, and for a brief moment, he wondered what it would have been like to live this life—to be the version of himself who had found peace and happiness with Hinata.
But he was not that man,exactly.
He took the picture in his hand and turned it to find in what seemed probably Hinata’s handwriting ‘The first time we confessed our love in the Land of Snow.’.
So they had declared their love but when and how did they fall in love? God dammit Sakura literally had a 14 year old scrapbook that had recorded everything about them..but then again she was the one that was always crazy about him. But he couldn’t complain, he had found a clue apparently they must have been in a mission to be that far away. Sasuke placed the picture back and closed the album, his jaw tightening. Emotions stirred up inside him and not any of his many other questions were exactly answered..
He decided that maybe somewhere in the living room he could find answers, in his house Sakura keeps online files now that technology is more advanced , so he settled onto the couch, scrolling through the files on the smart TV hopping to find something meaningful as time was running. He scrolled through countless of what seemed saved soap opera files that probably belonged to Hinata until one titled "Wedding" caught his eye. His pulse quickened, pressing the play button.
The video flickered to life, revealing the Uchiha district, its abandoned streets now transformed for a wedding. The Naka Shrine, a sacred and tragic place for his clan, stood at the center of it all, draped in soft lights and gentle decorations. Paper lanterns swayed in the evening breeze, casting a warm glow across the ceremony.
There they were—*he* and Hinata, standing together in front of the shrine. The Sasuke in the video wore a traditional dark haori and hakama, the Uchiha crest proudly displayed on his back. Hinata, beside him, looked radiant in a white kimono embroidered with delicate lavender accents, her long hair pinned up elegantly. They stood together, a picture of unity, exchanging vows beneath the watchful eyes of their friends.
Sasuke’s heart clenched at the sight. He never imagined himself in such a scene, let alone with *her*. Yet, the way they stood together looked natural, even comforting. In his own wedding, he was stiff and rather quite awkward overwhelmed by Sakura’s parents and the large masses they had invinted to the wedding.
The camera zoomed in on their faces as they smiled shyly at one another. Hinata blushed under his gaze, and the Sasuke in the video gave her a rare, soft smile in return. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from the screen. It was surreal, watching this alternate version of his life unfold before him.
The ceremony ended, and the video shifted to the reception. Laughter echoed in the background as the guests mingled. Sasuke’s eyes scanned the faces, recognizing Naruto, Sakura, Kiba, and the rest of the Konoha 12. They were all there, celebrating, as if everything had fallen into place.
Naruto and Kiba stood at the center of the gathering, arguing playfully over who would give the first speech.
“C’mon, Kiba! I’m his best friend, so it’s gotta be me!” Naruto shouted, waving his arms dramatically.
Kiba rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. “Yeah, but I’ve known Hinata longer an i am her best friend. I should go first.”
The crowd laughed, and even Sasuke, watching from the outside, felt a small tug of amusement. These people—they were his comrades, his friends, even if he had kept his distance from them for so long.
Eventually, Naruto gave in, letting Kiba speak first. Kiba’s words were heartfelt, recalling how Hinata had always been strong, always determined, and how proud he was to see her happy also a p.s note to Sasuke to not break her heart because he would come after him. Sasuke in the video seemed to glare at him and Hinata awkwardly trying to smile. Naruto followed with a speech about Sasuke, his voice softer and more serious than usual. He talked about their bond, how Sasuke had finally found a place where he belonged, how proud Naruto was to see his best friend find peace.
Sasuke’s chest tightened. He wasn’t the person Naruto was describing—not in his own world, at least.
But what struck him most was when the camera panned to Naruto and Sakura standing together, both wearing matching wedding rings. They exchanged knowing smiles, their hands linked, and Sasuke realized with a pang of confusion that in this reality, Naruto had married Sakura. They were together—happy, even. The sight wasn’t exasperating him, in fact something felt right about this, he was aware that Naruto although he gave up on Sakura eventually somewhere deep in his heart still held romantic feelings for her…he had always been the one to back down from whatever Sasuke wanted and Sasuke felt guilty…maybe… things were indeed ideal here.
The video continued with quiet moments—Sasuke and Hinata sitting close, Naruto laughing with Sakura, the friends all gathered, celebrating. They were all still so young, probably around the time they were 23, but the connection between Sasuke and Hinata in the video was undeniable, the way they stared and stood each other, he even caught glimpses of them touching each other, oh so soft and gracious, their eyes shimmering with what looked like a mix of hope and love.
The camera lingered on him and Hinata as they stood under the lanterns at the end of the night. He had his arm around her, pulling her close, and she leaned into him with a soft smile. The look on her face—the way she gazed up at him—it was something Sasuke had never seen before. A quiet kind of happiness, a peaceful contentment that she found in his presence that even Sakura who loved him so much never really had.
Sasuke turned off the TV, his mind spinning. The weight of what he had just seen pressed heavily on him. In this world, he wasn’t the distant, wandering soul that he was in his own. He wasn’t absent from the lives of those who cared about him. He had a life, a connection, and someone who stood by him.
He sat in silence, the images of that wedding, of that alternate life, still vivid in his mind. He wasn’t that man, not in his reality. He wasn’t the Sasuke who smiled at his bride and accepted the love of his friends. But part of him—some hidden, buried part—longed for that life. As Sasuke heard the front door creak open, he quickly slipped into the shadows, hiding behind the hallway wall. His heartbeat quickened as the familiar sound of little footsteps filled the house.
“We’re home, Mom!” one of the twins shouted, his voice echoing through the hall.
“Mom?” Tsukihime's softer voice followed as she took off her shoes. "She’s not here... Where could she be?"
"She must be at the bakery downtown," Seiji muttered, his tone casual as if this was a regular occurrence. "She’s been spending a lot of time there."
‘’Well Dad helped her open up the shop so they can match each other being away from the house, him at the hokage’s office and her at the bakery.’’ Hiro added.
Sasuke stayed perfectly still, his breathing shallow. His eyes tracked the children as they moved through the house, oblivious to his presence. They were so much like him, yet so different—innocent and unaware of the other dimensions swirling around them.
Feeling a pang in his chest, a strange ache—one that was almost happiness. Hearing those voices, knowing these were his children in this world, filled him with an unexpected warmth. It was foreign, but welcome. He had never felt anything like it.
He knew he shouldn’t be here. This wasn’t his life. These weren’t his children, not really. And yet, the pull to stay lingered.
But now, with the kids home, he couldn’t risk being seen. He had to act quickly.
A thought crossed his mind—Hinata was at the bakery. If he wanted answers, if he wanted to talk to her again, he could find her there. But not as himself. He’d have to go disguised. Blending into the village he no longer belonged to, to speak with her one last time.
He crept silently toward the back door, making his way out of the house without a sound. His heart weighed heavy with conflicting thoughts, but his mind was set.
Sasuke would find her. Disguised, hidden from the truth of who he really was, he would talk to Hinata. Maybe then, he could finally uncover the mystery of how they had ended up together in this alternate reality—and why part of him felt drawn to her, even when he knew he shouldn’t be.
//
Sasuke walked through the quiet streets of Konoha, his hood pulled low over his face. He had used a simple transformation jutsu, appearing as an elderly man with graying hair and a weathered face. His heart pounded as he neared the bakery, unsure of what exactly he was hoping to find.
The bakery was small and quaint, the sign above the door swinging gently in the evening breeze. Warm light poured from the windows, the smell of fresh bread and sweet pastries wafting out into the street. For a moment, Sasuke hesitated. This was Hinata's bakery—her place in this alternate world. A world he didn’t belong to, yet couldn’t tear himself away from.
Steeling himself, he entered the shop.
The little bell above the door chimed, announcing his arrival. Inside, the warm atmosphere contrasted with the cool night air. There were a few customers, but most had left for the day. Sasuke scanned the room quickly before casting a subtle genjutsu over the remaining patrons, ensuring they wouldn’t notice anything unusual.
Then, he saw her.
Hinata emerged from behind the counter, wiping her hands on her apron, her long hair falling loosely down her back. She looked content. As her eyes landed on him—or rather, the disguised old man he was pretending to be—she smiled softly and approached.
“Good evening sir,” she greeted kindly, her voice as gentle as he remembered. “Please, let me help you.”
Sasuke felt a jolt as her hands gently took his, guiding him toward a seat. His breath hitched slightly, the sensation of her touch sending a rush of memories flooding back—their closeness in the alternate world, the kisses they had shared, the fleeting moments when he had allowed himself to feel something for her. The warmth of her fingers against his skin stirred that ache in his chest once more.
He lowered himself onto the chair, hiding his inner turmoil behind the guise of an elderly servant. "Thank you, young lady," he rasped, his voice gruff but controlled.
“You’re very welcome! Here’s the menu,” Hinata said with her usual warmth, handing him the menu before turning her attention to a couple of young kids who had come in to grab something to eat.
Sasuke watched her as she moved gracefully around the small bakery, and for a moment, he was struck by how effortlessly beautiful she was. *Gorgeous* wasn’t a word he used often, let alone to describe someone, but it fit her. The way her long hair cascaded down her back, her lilac apron cinched perfectly at her waist, accentuating her slim figure and… He shook his head, cutting off the improper, lustful thoughts before they could deepen. This woman didn’t belong to him. He was married, after all. *So why am I here?*
Sasuke’s heart tightened. Was this really about uncovering more about an alternate universe? Or was it something else he didn’t want to admit? Why hadn’t he tried to seek out the version of himself in this world instead? The only explanation that made sense—one he wasn’t ready to face—was that he had come here to see her.
His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by Hinata’s gentle voice. “Did you decide?”
He cursed inwardly. He had spent more time admiring her than actually looking at the menu. Quickly scanning the page, his eyes landed on something familiar. “Uh… Black sesame rice balls, please.”
Hinata’s smile widened. “That’s my husband’s favorite. In fact, it’s the only sweet he eats. I make it specially for him.”
Sasuke’s stomach tightened at the casual mention of *her* Sasuke, but he nodded, trying to maintain the facade. “I haven’t seen you around here before. Are you new in town?” she asked, her curiosity genuine as she leaned a little closer.
He stammered, caught off guard. “I, uh… I’m from around here originally. I used to work for the Uchiha clan, but I moved to the Land of Wind. Married a kunoichi from there.” The lie rolled off his tongue, smooth enough to sound convincing but leaving him feeling uneasy.
Hinata’s expression softened. “That’s lovely. It must be nice to live by the sand.”
He forced a smile, his mind still swirling with thoughts he couldn’t quiet. *Why hadn’t he just stayed in his own world?*
Hinata’s expression softened at the mention of the Uchiha name. She knelt beside him, her lavender eyes filled with kindness. “The Uchiha clan… I see. My husband, he’s an Uchiha.”
The words hit Sasuke harder than he expected, but he nodded, keeping his composure. “Is he Uchiha Sasuke? I served… Sasuke’s father once. It’s been many years.”
Hinata smiled again, her hand still resting on his as she listened. “You must have many stories from those times. My husband doesn’t speak of his family much, but I know he carries them in his heart.”
Sasuke swallowed, his throat tight. It was strange, hearing her talk about him—her version of him—as if he were still that man from long ago. A man with roots and a family, things that, in his own reality, had been stripped away. He glanced down at her hand, still resting on his, and for a moment, he was transported back to the day, when they had kissed. When he had felt something deeper for her, something he had never expected.
Forcing himself to stay in character, he cleared his throat. "Your husband... is lucky," he said, his voice low. "To have a wife like you."
Hinata’s cheeks turned a faint shade of pink, and she chuckled softly. “I’m the lucky one. He’s… everything to me.”
Sasuke’s heart twisted at her words, but he maintained his disguise, nodding as if he were simply an old man reminiscing about the past. Inside, however, he felt the weight of his own feelings building again—the conflict, the pull between the world he belonged to and the one he had briefly experienced.
He needed to learn more, but each moment spent here with her made it harder to remember why he needed to leave at all.
Hinata returned with the plate of black sesame rice balls, setting it gently before him. "Here you go," she said warmly, her soft smile lighting up her face.
Sasuke, under his disguise as "Kaneki," nodded in thanks, his heart heavy with the weight of what he was about to ask. He hadn't come here to just taste some dessert. He was here for answers, for understanding.
As she lingered for a moment, he hesitated but then asked, "How is Sasuke?"
Hinata's eyes softened immediately, a tenderness washing over her. "Sasuke is doing well," she said with a gentle tone. "He’s a dedicated father and a wonderful husband. Even with his responsibilities, he always makes sure to be there for the children and me."
Her words hit him hard. *A dedicated father.* Those words didn’t feel like they belonged to him in his world, but here, they were spoken as truth.
Curiosity gnawed at him. He pressed further. “How did you two meet? How did it happen… you and Sasuke?”
Hinata tilted her head slightly, as if surprised by the personal nature of the question, but a soft smile spread across her face as she answered. "We’d known each other since we were children, of course, but we never interacted much. It wasn’t until after the war that we really started to know each other. We were both selected for a mission to the Land of Earth.”
“The Land of Earth?” Sasuke, still posing as Kaneki, repeated, leaning in slightly, trying to absorb every detail.
“Yes,” Hinata continued, her voice quieter, almost reflective. “It was a long mission—intense, both physically and emotionally. We were out there for weeks. The terrain was rough, and there was little time for rest. It was just the two of us, working closely together.”
Sasuke’s heart clenched. He could almost see it—the long, grueling days spent side by side in unfamiliar, hostile territory.
“Neither of us talked much at first,” Hinata continued, her eyes flickering with old memories. “But as time went on, I think we both started to feel the weight of what we had lost. One night, around the campfire, I told him about Neji—how much I missed him, and how hard it was to keep going without him.”
Sasuke felt a knot in his throat. *Neji…* He had never known Hinata was so deeply affected, though it made sense.
“I wasn’t expecting him to respond, honestly,” she admitted with a soft chuckle. “Sasuke was always so distant. But that night, he opened up, just a little. He told me about Itachi, about what it was like to lose his older brother—his only family.”
Sasuke swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Itachi’s memory pressing on him even now. In this world, had he found solace with her, through shared grief?
“The nights were the hardest,” she continued, her voice a bit softer now. “Sometimes, the silence was so overwhelming, and we’d end up talking until the early hours, sitting by the fire. I guess we found comfort in each other’s pain.”
There was a long pause before she spoke again, her eyes distant. “By the end of the mission, I think we both realized something had changed. We weren’t just teammates anymore. We had started to care for each other in a way that neither of us expected.”
Sasuke remained silent, the weight of her words crashing down on him like a wave. He could see it now—the shared moments, the vulnerability, the bond that formed between them, rooted in loss but blooming into something more.
“We grew close after that,” Hinata said, her smile softening. “It wasn’t immediate, but… the connection we made in the Land of Earth stayed with us. Little by little, we found our way to each other.”
Sasuke’s heart felt heavy. He could imagine it all too clearly now—the version of him in this world, finding peace and connection with Hinata in a way that he never had with Sakura. A deep, aching part of him wondered if, in some distant part of his heart, he longed for the same.
Hinata was interrupted mid-conversation by two other tables waving her over to take their orders. She offered a polite nod to Sasuke in disguise before excusing herself to attend to the customers.
Sasuke, left alone, glanced down at the black sesame rice ball in front of him. He wasn’t a fan of sweets, but as he took a bite, he was surprised by how well it was made. It tasted... comforting, despite the turmoil swirling in his heart. He knew he wasn’t here for food—he was here to unearth more of the life he was never meant to live.
Just as he finished his last bite, something in the corner of his eye caught his attention—*him.* His alternate self had arrived.
Sasuke’s breath caught in his throat, panic flaring up inside him. He could see the subtle differences in the man approaching the bakery, even through the window. His alternate self carried himself with a quiet confidence that seemed almost foreign to him. His expression was more open, less guarded than Sasuke ever allowed himself to be.
*This isn’t good.* Sasuke’s mind raced. If they were to meet, if their paths crossed... there was no telling what could happen. In a flash, he made a decision.
He quickly placed the money for the rice balls on the table, glancing toward the entrance as his alternate self stepped inside. Sasuke moved swiftly, slipping out the side entrance, his heart pounding in his chest. He barely made it out in time, casting one final glance over his shoulder from a hidden vantage point.
His alternate self greeted Hinata with a warm smile, and Sasuke watched, hidden from view. The way they interacted... it felt so natural. The ease with which they communicated, the familiarity, the love—it was something he had never known. Hinata smiled up at her husband, a smile that was genuine and full of affection.
Sasuke’s heart ached, not with jealousy, but with a strange sense of longing for a life that wasn’t his. He had never allowed himself such softness, never let down his walls enough to experience that kind of love.
And yet, here he was, watching a version of himself who had what he seemed to desire.
//
Hinata was interrupted mid-conversation by two other tables waving her over to take their orders. She offered a polite nod to Sasuke in disguise before excusing herself to attend to the customers.
Sasuke, left alone, glanced down at the black sesame rice ball in front of him. He wasn’t a fan of sweets, but as he took a bite, he was surprised by how well it was made. It tasted... comforting, despite the turmoil swirling in his heart. He knew he wasn’t here for food—he was here to unearth more of the life he was never meant to live.
Just as he finished his last bite, something in the corner of his eye caught his attention—him. His alternate self had arrived.
Sasuke’s breath caught in his throat, panic flaring up inside him. He could see the subtle differences in the man approaching the bakery, even through the window. His alternate self carried himself with a quiet confidence that seemed almost foreign to him. His expression was more open, less guarded than Sasuke ever allowed himself to be.
This isn’t good. Sasuke’s mind raced. If they were to meet, if their paths crossed... there was no telling what could happen. In a flash, he made a decision.
He quickly placed the money for the rice balls on the table, glancing toward the entrance as his alternate self stepped inside. Sasuke moved swiftly, slipping out the side entrance, his heart pounding in his chest. He barely made it out in time, casting one final glance over his shoulder from a hidden vantage point.
His alternate self greeted Hinata with a warm smile, and Sasuke watched, hidden from view. The way they interacted... it felt so natural. The ease with which they communicated, the familiarity, the love—it was something he had never known. Hinata smiled up at her husband, a smile that was genuine and full of affection.
Sasuke’s heart ached, not with jealousy, but with a strange sense of longing for a life that wasn’t his. He had never allowed himself such softness, never let down his walls enough to experience that kind of love.
And yet, here he was, watching a version of himself who had.
With a heavy heart, Sasuke turned away, blending into the shadows of the village, knowing he could never truly be part of this world. Not this life. It belonged to someone else. And he had no place in it.
As the alternate Sasuke and Hinata closed up the bakery for the night, the streets of Konoha had quieted, with only a few stragglers walking by. Hinata smiled as she locked the door, then slipped her hand into her husband’s, a gesture so natural that it made Sasuke, watching from the shadows, feel an odd pang in his chest.
Earlier, as she had been serving tables, she had mentioned a man by the name of Kaneki coming by—a name his alternate self didn’t recognize. Sasuke had seen the curiosity flicker in his alternate’s eyes before it was brushed aside. They didn’t seem to dwell on it much longer, talking casually about their children and the bakery. Sasuke knew this was his chance. He couldn’t keep lurking in the shadows forever.
He trailed behind them from a distance, his heart racing as he deliberated. Could he really face himself? What would his alternate self say? But something inside him—a restless need to understand this world—pushed him forward.
As they approached the Uchiha District, Alternate Sasuke’s head tilted slightly, his senses picking up on something. He turned to Hinata with a calm voice, “Hinata, go ahead. I forgot i have to pick up some files from Shikamaru.”
Hinata blinked, a little concerned as Sasuke wasn’t a man who was forgetful, but nodded, “Alright, I’ll wait for you at home.”
She continued ahead while Alternate Sasuke slowly turned around. His gaze scanned the surroundings until it landed on the figure hidden in the shadows.
"Who’s there?" his voice came, calm but commanding.
Sasuke stepped out of the shadows, his own heart pounding as he locked eyes with himself. It felt surreal, looking at his alternate self—a man who shared his face but lived a completely different life.
“I’m you,” Sasuke said, his voice low but steady. “From another reality.”
Alternate Sasuke narrowed his eyes but didn’t seem surprised. He crossed his arms, studying him intently. “Another reality? Explain before i take your head impostor.”
Now Sasuke understood why many even those who he was close for years called him scary and uneasy to talk to. He stood tall and proud while his eyes were intense and sharp, it is a unique experience of seeing yourself not in a mirror but in person.
‘’I can prove it that indeed i am you, ask me anything.’’
The alternate Sasuke’s eyes flickered with suspicion, then intrigue. He stepped closer, his expression unreadable. "If you are who you say you are... prove it. Tell me something only I would know."
Sasuke’s mind raced, but then he remembered something deep, something only they would share. "When we were children, Itachi would train with us in secret. He once gave us a kunai after we landed a hit on him during sparring. He said it was a reward for our persistence, but... we both knew it was just to keep our spirits up."
A flicker of recognition flashed in the alternate Sasuke’s eyes. He exhaled slowly, his stance softening. “Alright. I don’t want my wife to be disturbed otherwise i would deal with you right now. Meet me in the Uchiha District in one hour. We’ll talk there.”
Without another word, the alternate Sasuke turned and walked away, leaving the original Sasuke standing alone. He managed to mess up and get discovered because he couldn’t for once control himself and understand that the longer he stayed here, the more damage he created to himself.
//
An hour later, Sasuke found himself in the quiet, abandoned Uchiha District. The once-bustling streets of his clan’s home were now silent, a graveyard of memories. He stood there, waiting, the darkened buildings casting long shadows.
Soon, he heard footsteps behind him. The alternate Sasuke appeared, stepping out from behind one of the old Uchiha clan houses, his face set in a serious expression.
“So, why are you here?” The alternate Sasuke leaned casually against the doorway of the Naka Shrine, his expression unreadable, yet tinged with suspicion. It was clear he wasn’t entirely comfortable with the idea of another version of himself suddenly appearing out of nowhere, even if they shared the same past.
Sasuke understood why his alternate self was cautious. If the roles were reversed, he’d be the same. And so, with no other choice, Sasuke launched into a detailed explanation—how he had ended up in this universe through dimensional travel, how he had met Hinata and the children, and how the world he stumbled into had clung to his thoughts ever since.
“I see,” the alternate Sasuke said thoughtfully after a long silence. “You’re unhappy with your life, so seeing a better outcome here... it made you attached. Made you think that you succeeded somewhere else.”
Sasuke almost shot a glare at him—his alternate self had just called him, in a roundabout way, a failure with attachment issues. But instead, he swallowed the retort, accepting the truth in the statement. He was unhappy with his life. Though he loved and cherished Sarada, he couldn’t deny that something was missing.
The alternate Sasuke continued, his voice calm but direct. “I should be pissed that you spent the night with my wife. But I’m not. Not really. We’re the same, after all.” He paused, studying Sasuke. “I’ll tell you why I never returned Sakura’s feelings. Why I chose, for once, to be honest with myself... and approached someone else. Hinata.”
Sasuke’s eyes flickered, listening intently.
The alternate Sasuke sighed, glancing down at the ground for a moment before looking back up. “I decided to stay in Konoha, despite everything. Despite the whispers, the distrust. I wanted to redeem myself, and even though I was treated with hatred... Hinata was the one who helped me through it especially after we took a mission together, that’s when we came closer.”
Sasuke’s heart tightened at the mention of her name.
“Hinata was quiet but resilient,” the alternate Sasuke continued. “She understood pain, loss... and she didn’t judge me for my past. She saw me for who I was. And that... that was something I never got with Sakura. I couldn’t give Sakura what she wanted because I didn’t feel the same way. But with Hinata... I felt at peace.”
There was a pause before he added, “Of course, Hiashi didn’t approve at first. He saw me as a threat, a traitor of the village, someone undeserving of his daughter. But over time, even he came to accept it. Because I was determined to stay. To build something real.”
Sasuke stood there, taking in every word. He had never imagined himself finding peace in Konoha, much less in the arms of someone like Hinata. And yet, this version of him had done just that—built a life that was grounded in love and understanding, something Sasuke had always longed for but never allowed himself to pursue.
“You’re right,” Sasuke finally said, his voice low. “I was drawn to this world because I saw what I could have had. What I... didn’t get in my own reality.”
“So, what’s your world like? What happened to you... there?”
Sasuke hesitated. He had been reluctant to share the details of his reality, especially after hearing about how much better this alternate version of his life seemed. He wasn’t sure how to explain his choices, his regrets, without sounding bitter or lost.
But the other Sasuke waited patiently, his gaze unwavering. There was an understanding between them that no one else could possibly have. So, Sasuke finally spoke, his voice low and careful.
“It’s... different,” he began. “I left Konoha, traveled the world. Tried to atone for what I did. But... I’ve never stayed. Never really been part of the village, not like you.”
The alternate Sasuke raised an eyebrow but didn’t interrupt.
“I married Sakura,” Sasuke continued, his tone more strained now. “We had a daughter, Sarada. But... I wasn’t there. I’ve been absent for most of her life. Always away, always distant. She resents me for it. And... I don’t blame her.”
There was a heavy silence between them for a moment before Sasuke added, almost bitterly, “Sakura loves me, but... I don’t feel the same way. I care about her, but it’s not love. Not like... this.”
He gestured vaguely, as if trying to encompass everything around him—the life, the family, the peace that his alternate self had found.
The alternate Sasuke’s expression softened. “So, you ran,” he said quietly. “From your family, from your past.”
Sasuke’s jaw tightened. “I had to. I couldn’t stay in Konoha. I couldn’t face everything I’d done.”
“But you never really found peace, did you?” the alternate Sasuke asked, his voice more sympathetic than accusatory.
Sasuke shook his head, his eyes dark. “No. I thought I was doing the right thing. But... it left me feeling more empty than ever. And seeing this... seeing what you’ve built here, it only makes it worse.”
The alternate Sasuke sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I get it. It wasn’t easy for me either, staying in Konoha. But I chose to face it. To try and build something from the wreckage. I didn’t know if it would work out, but... Hinata helped me. She stood by me, even when I didn’t deserve it.”
Sasuke was silent, absorbing the weight of his counterpart’s words. He couldn’t deny that part of him had always envied people who had someone like Hinata—someone who saw through the pain, who accepted the darkness without judgment.
“Tell me about her,” the alternate Sasuke said suddenly. “About Sakura. Why did you marry her if you didn’t love her?”
Sasuke’s expression darkened. “I felt guilty. She had always been there, always loved me, no matter what. I thought... maybe I could make it work. That I could feel the same way if I tried hard enough. But... it wasn’t fair to her. Or to me.”
The alternate Sasuke nodded slowly. “And now you’re stuck.”
Sasuke clenched his fists. “Yeah. I’m stuck.”
Another long silence stretched between them. Then, the alternate Sasuke spoke again, his voice calm but firm. “You have to go back. You can’t live in this world, no matter how much you want to. You have a family waiting for you, even if it’s not the life you imagined.”
Sasuke looked away, feeling the weight of those words settle in his chest. He knew it was true. He didn’t belong here. But knowing that didn’t make leaving any easier.
“Your daughter deserves better,” the alternate Sasuke added. “And maybe... maybe it’s not too late to give her that.”
Sasuke nodded, the weight of his counterpart's words settling deep within him. But before he could let go completely, there was one thing left pulling him back—their children.
“What about them?” he asked, his voice quiet but tinged with curiosity.
The alternate Sasuke's eyes softened as he spoke about his family. “The one who’s most like us is Hiro,” he began. “Even though he has the Byakugan eyes, his personality... it’s like looking into a mirror. He’s calm, focused, but confident in his abilities, sometimes too much. He stays quiet, but there’s a strength to him. You’d see it.”
Sasuke listened intently, imagining the boy he had only seen briefly. Hiro, with those Byakugan eyes but a demeanor eerily similar to his own.
“Then there’s Seiji,” the alternate Sasuke continued with a small, fond smirk. “He’s sharp, too eager sometimes. Wants to control his power... even wants to awaken the Sharingan. It worries us a bit, but we’re trying to guide him. He’s still young, still learning.”
Sasuke felt a strange mix of pride and sadness at hearing about Seiji’s desire for the Sharingan. It was like hearing echoes of his younger self, hungry for power, eager to surpass his limits.
“And then there’s Tsukihime,” the alternate Sasuke said, his voice softening. “She’s the eldest and... she’s different. A perfect blend between me and Hinata. She carries one Hyuga eye and one Uchiha eye.”
Sasuke’s breath caught at that. A child who bore the legacy of both clans so visibly, two powerful bloodlines in one body.
“She’s strong,” the alternate Sasuke continued, his pride evident. “But we’re worried about how she’ll handle having both the Byakugan and the potential for the Sharingan. It’s a lot for any child to bear, but... we’re not scared. Not as long as we’re together.”
Sasuke couldn’t help but feel the deep bond his alternate self had with his family. It wasn’t just about power or legacy—it was about love and support, something Sasuke had long struggled with.
“They’re your future,” the alternate Sasuke said, his voice more serious now. “Whatever happens, we’ll guide them. That’s the difference between us now. You have to go back and do the same for Sarada.”
Sasuke remained silent, feeling both the sting of his counterpart’s words and the pull of his own reality. He had a daughter waiting for him. It was time to face her with the same resolve, even if it wasn’t as easy as staying in this other world.
Sasuke hesitated for a moment, then looked directly at his alternate self. "Can I... see them one last time?" His voice was quieter than usual, laced with emotions he rarely allowed himself to feel.
The alternate Sasuke's expression darkened slightly. He stood still for a moment, clearly weighing the request in his mind. It was obvious that this other version of him wasn’t keen on the idea—after all, these were his family, his world. But there was also a mutual understanding between them, a bond that only they could comprehend.
After a long pause, the alternate Sasuke sighed. "Fine," he said reluctantly, his tone warning. "But we have to agree on something first."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow, waiting.
"We can't meet again," the alternate Sasuke continued. "And we can’t interfere with each other’s lives or worlds anymore. This can’t happen again. If we keep mingling, it'll only lead to more danger—for both realities. You know that."
Sasuke nodded slowly, understanding the weight of what his counterpart was saying. The merging of their worlds could bring unintended consequences, something neither of them wanted to face.
"I agree," Sasuke replied, his voice firm despite the emotions roiling inside him. "After this... we part ways."
The alternate Sasuke gave him one last glance, a mixture of trust and wariness. Then, with a determined look, they both activated their Sharingan, sealing the unspoken pact between them.
//
Sasuke stood outside the house, his alternate self giving him one final nod before stepping back, allowing him to take his place. He felt a strange sense of anticipation and dread as he approached the door, knowing that this would be his last time in this world, with this family that wasn’t his.
He opened the door and was immediately greeted by the sound of the children’s voices echoing from the living room. Tsukihime, Seiji, and Hiro were arguing about something, likely training techniques again. As soon as they saw him, their faces lit up, and they rushed toward him.
"Dad! You're home!" Tsukihime shouted with a smile, and the twins quickly followed suit, pulling at his sleeves, eager for his attention.
Sasuke gave a soft smile—an expression that felt foreign on his face. "Hey, settle down. Where's your mom?"
"She's in the kitchen," Seiji answered, already pulling Sasuke toward the dining table. The smell of freshly cooked food filled the air, and he realized just how much he had missed this atmosphere, even though it wasn't really his.
Hinata emerged from the kitchen, carrying a tray of food. She smiled warmly at him, her presence calming in a way that tugged at something deep inside him. “You are late, i was scared something happened with Naruto and you would miss dinner’’ she said softly. There was a gentleness in her voice that made him feel both comforted and tormented by the reality he’d be leaving behind.
"It…was just extra work" Sasuke replied, stepping closer to her. For a moment, he let himself absorb every detail—the way her lavender eyes looked at him, her soft smile, the quiet strength she always exuded.
Dinner was quiet, peaceful even. The children filled the silence with stories of their day, their training, and the mischief they had gotten into. Tsukihime proudly declared how she’d mastered a new technique, while Seiji boasted about being the fastest. Hiro, as usual, stayed quiet, but there was a sense of contentment on his face.
Sasuke sat there, listening, his heart heavy. Every laugh, every smile—he soaked it all in, knowing this was the last time he'd ever experience this. The family dynamics, the warmth—it was something he had never truly had in his own world, and for a fleeting moment, he wished he could stay.
After dinner, Sasuke helped Hinata clear the table. She smiled as he handed her the last of the dishes, a simple gesture, but it felt intimate in a way that made his chest tighten. As they stood there, close to each other in the kitchen, Hinata reached up to adjust his collar, her fingers lightly brushing his skin.
“Thank you,” she whispered, her eyes soft as she gazed up at him. "For being here in time."
Sasuke hesitated for a moment, knowing that this was his last chance. Without thinking, he leaned down and gently kissed her. It was soft, tender, and full of the emotions he had been holding back. She kissed him back, unaware that it was a goodbye.
When they pulled apart, her face was slightly flushed, but she smiled. “ I was glad to see you come to the shop, i missed you the past few days you were too busy,” she whispered, her hand still resting on his arm.
Sasuke nodded, his throat tight. “I know,” he said, his voice low. "I missed you too."
But it wasn’t him she missed—it was the man outside and he indeed had missed her, the loving sight and her gentle hands on his body.
‘’I am going to get a shower, let’s watch that historical drama you secretly like’’ she teased him as she gave him a peck on his lips, heading to the bathroom.
If his heart was made of glass it would have now broken to a million of pieces, it felt like someone was snatching a piece of candy from a baby but he couldn’t be greedy. His alternate self was right the more he stayed, the more things would get confusing and tangled.
He walked out of the house a few moments later, his heart aching with every step. As soon as he stepped into the cool night air, his alternate self appeared from the shadows, waiting for him.
"How was it?" the alternate Sasuke asked, his voice calm but knowing.
Sasuke looked at him, his face unreadable. "Thank you. For letting me say goodbye."
His alternate self gave a brief nod, then turned to leave, but before he did, he added, "Take care of your own world, Sasuke. Don't lose sight of it."
With that, Sasuke watched as the other version of himself disappeared into the night, leaving him standing there, alone once again. He took a deep breath, the weight of the reality he'd glimpsed settling into his bones. It was time to return to his own world, where he belonged—even if it didn’t feel like home anymore.
With one last glance at the house, Sasuke turned and headed back through the portal, knowing this was truly the end of his journey in this alternate reality.
//
Back in Konoha, the reality felt just as dull and lifeless as it had before, but Sarada remained the single bright spot in Sasuke's life. Despite everything, her presence warmed his heart in a way nothing else could. He had decided to fully commit to training her, hoping that by doing so, he could relieve Sakura of the burden of being like a single mother.
As the days passed, Sarada, ever persistent, made Boruto spend more time with them. Sasuke initially felt indifferent toward the boy, but over time, something about him struck a chord deep within Sasuke. Perhaps it was because Boruto was Hinata's child, and there was an unspoken connection, a reminder of Seiji and Hiro from the alternate world. It stirred something inside him.
Boruto's energy, eagerness to improve, and unrefined skill reminded Sasuke of his own sons in that other life. It was a bittersweet feeling, one that made him wonder about the paths he could have walked, the lives he could have lived. But more than that, it ignited a sense of duty in him. Boruto deserved proper training, to become a strong shinobi like his mother and father.
So Sasuke made the decision: he would train Boruto, not just because he was Naruto's son, but because he reminded him of the family he had left behind in that other dimension. Training Boruto felt like a small way to keep that memory alive. Each lesson, every sparring session, brought flashes of Tsukihime’s outgoing nature, Seiji's determination and Hiro's quiet confidence.
It wasn’t the same, but it was something.
And for the first time in a long while, Sasuke felt like he was contributing to the next generation, ensuring that both his daughter and Boruto would become powerful shinobi—something they could both be proud of. Through them, maybe Sasuke could find some form of peace, a way to make up for what he missed all these years.
//
Years passed, and as Sasuke trained both Sarada and Boruto, the bond between the three grew stronger. Sarada’s skill in sharingan development surpassed even his own expectations, and Boruto, with his tenacity and raw talent, became an exceptional shinobi in his own right. Despite his growing attachment to them, the memories of the alternate world lingered like a shadow on the edge of his consciousness—never fully fading, always present in the quiet moments between missions and training.
One day, after an intense sparring session, Boruto sat beside Sasuke, catching his breath. "You know," Boruto said with a grin, "I think I’m finally stronger than you, sensei."
Sasuke smirked but said nothing, his mind elsewhere.
Sarada joined them, wiping sweat from her brow. "Dad, you’ve been acting weird lately. Are you okay?"
Sasuke looked at his daughter—her dark hair, the piercing Uchiha eyes she shared with him. She had grown so much, now standing on the brink of greatness, a leader in her own right. But behind her fierce determination, he could see the traces of vulnerability. It reminded him too much of Tsukihime.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he replied, though the unease gnawed at him.
That night, as Sasuke stood on the outskirts of Konoha, looking up at the moonlit sky, a familiar sensation washed over him. The longing for the family he had met in that alternate reality. He had tried to bury it for years, convincing himself that this life—his reality—was enough.
But deep down, he couldn’t deny it anymore. The alternate world still called to him, and despite the years of training and dedication to his daughter and Boruto, a part of him yearned to see Tsukihime, Seiji, Hiro, and even Hinata again. He wondered if they had changed—if they had grown, just like Sarada and Boruto had.
As he turned to leave, a ripple in the air caught his attention. His sharingan activated instinctively, and before him, a dimensional rift began to form—the same kind of rift that had led him to that alternate world before.
Sasuke’s heart raced. He hadn’t opened it, but there it was—calling him once more.
What he would do next had great importance, will he break the promise with his alternate self and go back even if things get messy or will he stay here in his own world?