Chapter 165: Cooking in Chaos
The warm glow of Malik's kitchen filled the room, a stark contrast to the tension unfolding on the screen before them. The savory scent of roasted spices and the rhythmic sound of a knife chopping vegetables cut through the otherwise thick atmosphere of worry. Sakura was seated on the couch, her eyes trained on the screen where the Sasuke Recovery Team was shown making their way through the forest, but her attention kept drifting to the sounds and smells behind her.
"Malik, what are you doing?" she asked, unable to suppress her curiosity anymore. Her brow furrowed as she turned to look over her shoulder, watching him move fluidly around the kitchen, completely absorbed in his work.
He flashed her a brief smile, his pink and gold attire somehow fitting into the cozy scene. "What does it look like? I'm cooking," he said, not missing a beat as he tossed ingredients into a sizzling pan. The sound of the food crackling and the burst of aromas filled the air even more.
Sakura sighed, a mix of exasperation and fondness washing over her. "But why? Right now, of all times? We're watching a mission that could decide Sasuke's fate."
At this point, though, she knew better than to question Malik's actions too much. This was who he was—a man who could cook up a storm while the world crumbled around him, finding calm amidst the chaos. Malik was always different, more interested in crafting perfect meals than getting worked up over situations beyond his control.
Malik, undisturbed by the gravity of her words, flipped something in the pan with a flourish. "Sakura, you know how it is. Cooking is my way of contributing, of keeping the stress from eating away at me. And," he added, casting her a quick glance with a smirk, "it keeps you all fed and energized. Can't save the world on an empty stomach, right?"
The explanation, as casual as it was, rang true for him. Malik had always found solace in the kitchen—the comforting rhythms of slicing, stirring, and seasoning brought him peace when things got hectic. It wasn't avoidance; it was his way of supporting the team, offering comfort in the form of a delicious meal, a reminder that there were still simple joys to be found even when everything else seemed uncertain.
Sakura shook her head, a small smile breaking through her worry. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised."
Her gaze flicked back to the screen for a moment, watching as the team continued their pursuit of Sasuke. But the smell of Malik's cooking filled the room like a warm embrace, making it hard not to feel just a little more at ease.
Malik moved with purpose, his focus entirely on the task at hand. The way he chopped vegetables—each slice precise and measured—and the way he handled the heat, adjusting the flames under his pans with expert care, showed the depth of his dedication to his craft. It wasn't just cooking for him; it was an art, and in moments like this, it was how he stayed calm, grounded.
Sakura watched him for a few more moments, almost mesmerized by the fluidity of his movements. "You really think this is helping, don't you?" she asked softly, more to herself than to him.
Malik nodded, giving her a reassuring smile. "I do. A good meal can do wonders for the spirit. And when they come back... they'll need something comforting."
Sakura turned back to the screen, feeling a little lighter despite the intensity of the situation unfolding in front of them. Somehow, knowing that Malik was back there, cooking like he always did, made the weight of everything feel a little less crushing.
She couldn't help but feel grateful for his unique way of contributing. Malik's calm, his way of finding peace in the simple act of preparing food, had a way of spreading to those around him, even in times of great uncertainty.
"Thanks, Malik," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the sounds of sizzling pans.
Malik, still focused on his cooking, gave a small nod. "Anytime, Sakura. Anytime."
Mikoto Uchiha and Kushina Uzumaki sat side by side, watching the interaction between Malik and Sakura unfold. The warm scent of Malik's cooking filled the room, but it was the tender, comforting moment between the two that caught their attention. They exchanged a glance, and it wasn't long before their thoughts drifted to their own late husbands—Fugaku Uchiha and Minato Namikaze.
Mikoto's eyes softened as she remembered her husband, Fugaku. He had always been a stoic man, a pillar of strength not only for their family but for the Uchiha Clan as a whole. His authority was unquestionable, and though he wasn't outwardly affectionate, Mikoto had always known the depth of his love for her and their children. In the quiet moments they had shared, away from the pressures of the clan, Fugaku had shown his softer side—though rare, his affection had always been genuine.
"I remember how Fugaku would always stand tall, like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders," Mikoto murmured, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "But in the evenings, when it was just us, he would relax a little. Those were the moments when I could see the man behind the clan leader—the husband, the father."
Kushina smiled, her fiery red hair framing her face as her thoughts turned to Minato. Unlike Fugaku, Minato had been openly kind and gentle, his affection for Kushina always on full display. She had been drawn to his warmth and steady support, his ability to make her feel like she was the most important person in the world, even when the weight of the village rested on his shoulders.
"Minato was always different," Kushina said with a fond chuckle. "He had this way of making everything feel lighter, like no problem was too big. He always made sure I knew how much he loved me, even when he was busy with Hokage duties. I used to call him 'slowpoke' when we first met, but... there wasn't anything slow about how quickly he stole my heart."
Mikoto smiled at Kushina's words. She had always admired the fiery redhead's boldness and how open she was with her feelings, something Mikoto had found more difficult to express in her own marriage. Still, despite their differences, the two women had shared a close bond, supporting each other through the trials of motherhood and marriage to powerful men.
"Fugaku... he never said much, but when he did, I knew it was from the heart," Mikoto continued, her gaze distant. "He didn't show his love the way Minato did, but in his own way, he was always there. He respected me, and he was a good father to Itachi and Sasuke—though I wish he could have been a little softer with them at times."
Kushina nodded, understanding the delicate balance Mikoto had to walk as the wife of a clan leader. "Minato and I were the opposite. He was always so gentle with Naruto, even when he was just a baby. He used to say that being Hokage was important, but being a good husband and father was the most important job he'd ever have."
The two women sat in comfortable silence for a moment, letting their memories wash over them. They had both lost their husbands far too soon, and yet, their love for them remained as strong as ever. The weight of their grief was something they carried with them every day, but in moments like this, they found solace in remembering the love that had defined their lives.
Mikoto turned to Kushina, her voice soft. "Do you ever wonder what they'd think of all this? Of our boys, of everything that's happened?"
Kushina's smile faded slightly as she thought of Minato. "All the time. I think Minato would be proud of Naruto—of how far he's come. And I know he'd be worried, too... about what's still ahead. But he'd trust him to find his way." She paused, then added with a sigh, "And I think he'd be proud of Sasuke, too. Even if he's lost his way right now."
Mikoto nodded, her heart heavy with thoughts of her youngest. "Fugaku... he'd be proud of Sasuke's strength, but I know he'd be heartbroken about the path he's taken. I wish I could have done more, said more. Maybe things would have turned out differently."
Kushina placed a comforting hand on Mikoto's arm. "You did your best. We all did. Our boys are strong, and they'll find their way back."
Mikoto smiled, though her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I hope so. I truly hope so."
As the two women sat together, the sound of Malik's cooking continued in the background, a comforting presence amidst their shared sorrow. They watched as Malik handed a plate of food to Sakura, his way of supporting her through the tense moments. It was a small gesture, but it reminded them both of the love and care their husbands had shown them in their own ways.
"Malik reminds me of Minato in some ways," Kushina said quietly. "He's always there, making sure everyone's taken care of, even when things are falling apart."
Mikoto nodded. "Yes, and in a way... he's become a part of our family, too."
Kushina smiled warmly. "He's a good man. And I think our boys... they'll be okay. We'll make sure of it."
Together, they found strength in their memories and in the quiet support they offered each other, as the world outside continued to turn.
As the smell of Malik's culinary creations filled the room, Mikoto Uchiha and Kushina Uzumaki sat together, their earlier memories of their husbands now fading as they contemplated a much more pressing matter—whether they should return to the ninja world, even if only temporarily. It was a decision neither of them had taken lightly, and yet the recent events surrounding their sons, the village, and the Akatsuki left them no choice but to reconsider.
Mikoto stared into her tea cup, her expression thoughtful. She had spent years in semi-retirement, content to focus on her family and avoid the politics and dangers of being a shinobi. But now, with Sasuke's defection and the resurgence of threats to Konoha, she felt the familiar pull of duty.
"Kushina," Mikoto began softly, her voice tinged with uncertainty, "do you ever wonder if we should step back into the field? With everything that's happening, I can't help but feel... helpless."
Kushina glanced at Mikoto, her fiery red hair cascading down her back as she set her own cup down. The thought had crossed her mind many times recently, especially with Naruto growing stronger and facing greater dangers. She hadn't fought on the frontlines in years, but the spirit of a kunoichi still burned brightly within her.
"Yeah," Kushina admitted, her usual boldness tempered by the weight of the question. "I've thought about it. You know me—I'm not one to sit back and watch while everything falls apart. But it's different now. We have our kids to think about."
Mikoto nodded. That was always the crux of the dilemma. She wasn't just a ninja anymore—she was a mother. A mother whose son had chosen a dangerous path. Her heart ached at the thought of going back into the field and potentially facing Sasuke or having to make difficult choices that could affect her family.
"I worry about Sasuke," Mikoto confessed, her fingers tracing the rim of her cup. "If I go back... what if I have to confront him? What if things escalate? I'm not sure I'm ready for that."
Kushina placed a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder. "I get it. But I think... I think maybe we could make a difference. We're both still strong, Mikoto. We know the dangers, and we know how to fight. I don't think we'd be going back just for the village, but for our families too."
Mikoto gave a small, sad smile. "That's what I'm afraid of. If I return, I'm not sure I'd be able to stay impartial. What if I try to protect Sasuke, even if it means going against the village?"
Kushina frowned thoughtfully. "I see what you mean. And with Itachi... it's even more complicated. But we don't have to be on the frontlines. We can work behind the scenes, support from the shadows. We can still protect our families without risking everything."
Mikoto's eyes softened. "You're right. I just don't want to make things worse. For either of my kids."
Kushina leaned back, her usual confidence returning. "You're not the only one who worries about that, you know. I've been thinking the same about Naruto. He's getting stronger every day, but with that strength comes more danger. I know he's capable, but... sometimes I think I should be out there with him, protecting him."
Mikoto chuckled softly. "And I know Naruto would hate that. He wants to prove himself, just like Sasuke."
Kushina smiled, her motherly pride shining through. "Yeah, he'd be furious. But that's not going to stop me from worrying."
The two women sat in silence for a moment, their thoughts heavy with the decisions they faced. They were both mothers who loved their children deeply, but they were also kunoichi who had once fought to protect the village. Returning to that life meant risking everything, including their relationships with their children. But perhaps, they reasoned, the village needed them now more than ever.
Mikoto finally spoke, her voice steady. "If we do this, we have to be careful. We can't get caught up in the same battles as before. We have to protect the village and our children... without losing sight of who we are now."
Kushina nodded in agreement. "Exactly. And we do it our way, together. We've been through worse, Mikoto. If we decide to return, we'll make sure it's on our terms."
Mikoto smiled warmly at her friend. "I'm glad I have you by my side. You've always been the one to give me strength."
Kushina grinned. "Same here, Mikoto. We'll figure this out. And if we do decide to come back... well, let's just say the ninja world won't know what hit them."
They shared a laugh, the tension between them easing as they made a silent pact to support one another no matter what they decided. Both women knew that their return, should it happen, wouldn't be easy. But they also knew they were stronger together, and if anyone could navigate the complexities of being both mothers and kunoichi, it was them.
As they watched Malik hand Sakura another plate of food, their thoughts settled on the future—one that might involve them stepping out of the shadows once more, not just for the village, but for the ones they loved most.
For now, they remained in their semi-retirement, but deep down, both knew that if the time came, they wouldn't hesitate to fight again. Together.