'Everyone sees who I appear to be, but only a few know the real me, you can only see what I choose to show, for there's so much behind this smile, you don't know.'

"Ukie, can you watch Sarada today please?"

"Sure..."

_______________

"Ukie, your Father and I are heading out, can you take Sarada to the park?"

"Ok..."

_______________

"Ukie, I need a few things from the store for Sarada, do you mind getting them for me, dear?"

"Yeah..."

_______________

"Ukai, take Sarada home. We will be back soon."

"Yes, Father..."

_______________

"Hey, Ukai! Do you think I could see Sarada again after training!?"

"Of course..."

_______________

Smiles can be deceiving... But sometimes it's easier to pretend than to explain.

"I'm heading out!" Ukai called attaching his sword to his back and putting on his shoes.

"Ukie, it's a Saturday, where are you going?" Sakura asked her son, walking up behind him.

"Out." The young Uchiha hissed glaring at his mother over his shoulder.

"Ukai..." Sakura gasped.

The young Uchiha held his mother's gaze before standing and leaving. He didn't even know where he was going, just that he needed to leave. He dragged his feet along the ground as he walked, stuffing his hands in his pockets as he wandered through the village streets. He did not attempt to acknowledge any of the village occupants, even ones who acknowledged him. Making his way toward the outskirts of town, the young boy paused and watched his two teammates battle as they trained. The three of them were constantly training together, but Ukai knew he was more advanced than either of his teammates, and his heart wasn't in it to fight them right now. So he turned and made his way back into the village.

___________________________________________

Back at the Uchiha home, Sakura was still having a hard time accepting her son had snapped at her. Ukai was always so sweet as a child, sure he had his moments where he lashed out but Sakura knew her son wasn't a bad kid. Sakura was standing in the kitchen preparing dinner when Sasuke walked through the door.

"I'm home Sakura," Sasuke said walking into the kitchen and kissing his wife's head.

"Sasuke I'm worried about Ukai." The Uchiha woman turned to her lover.

"Why is that?" Sasuke asked.

"He hasn't been his usual self lately and he snapped at me this morning. I just, I think we should talk to him." Sakura said turning back to the stove.

"Alright," Sasuke said heading for the stairs.

"He's not here, he went out this morning and I haven't seen him all day," Sakura added.

Sasuke paused before nodding, coming back down the stairs and heading for their room. Sasuke hadn't noticed anything out of the ordinary with his son. But then again, Sasuke never saw Ukai that much anymore. Ukai seemed to avoid Sasuke or say he had things to do whenever Sasuke tried to converse with him. Maybe it was his fault Sakura was on the receiving end of Ukai's anger. Sasuke is the boy's father, he should be the first to notice when something like this happens.

____________________________________________

Ukai sat on top of the great stone face of the Fourth Hokage, looking out over the leaf village.

'This village has gone through a lot, to say the least. And, incredibly, we've come this far.' He thought, staring down at his home.

The young Uchiha scanned the brightly lit town, watching the small figures as they walked around, going about their happy lives. He watched people going in and out of stores and people heading home after work. Ukai sighed, pulling his knees to his chest and resting his head in his arms. The young ninja had spent the whole day up by the stone faces training. He wanted to be like them, the Hokages. He didn't want to be Hokage, but each one had come from nothing and made themselves something. Each had gone through so many things in life and still strived to better the world. That's what he wanted to be. Someone who people looked up to, someone people remembered. He just wanted to help. But now, he wasn't so sure. Quite frankly, the only thing Ukai thought he was going to be remembered for was being the older brother of Sarada. Everyone loved her. She's nothing but a child. She can't speak, can't walk, can't do anything by herself and she's loved dearly for it. Ok, maybe he's being too harsh, she is a baby after all, but she stole all the attention from Ukai. Sure she's the last real daughter of the Uchiha, but once she grows up, that's not gonna matter. Ukai is the real last line of Uchiha. If Sarada was the only child the Uchiha line would die once she got married. Sasuke wanted to restore his clan, and Ukai is the only surefire way to do that.

"Hey, Ukai!"

The young boy turned his head to see his teammate standing there smiling at him.

"I'm not really in the mood for company Minka," The older ninja said softly.

"Oh? What's wrong?" The kunoichi sat beside her friend.

"I don't want to talk about it," Ukai mumbled turning back to the village.

"You sure? My mom always says if I feel sad, I should always talk to someone, maybe they could help. Maybe I can help you." The brunette girl sat beside her friend.

The young ninja said nothing, keeping his gaze on the life below him.

"I'm sure your mom's told you that too once, it's what moms do, they encourage us. I'll bet your sister will be just the same someday." The kunoichi failed to see Ukai's fists clench or the sudden dark feeling that surrounded him.

"I bet she'll know all the secrets to make you feel better. Gosh having a sister must be amazing~" Ukai cut Minka off.

"WILL YOU JUST SHUT UP! I SAID I WANTED TO BE ALONE AND THAT I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!" He snapped.

Minka, being taken way aback by this, stared at her friend as he got up and jumped away. She didn't know what to do or what to say. Ukai has never raised his voice at Minka let alone full out yelled at her. Was it something she said?