A/N -

Okay! Here is the Sequel to 'The Mission During the War'. If you have not read that I suggest you do. This story will focus on certain periods in time but will flow throughout days or weeks, sometimes years. Though everything will be chronological.

The next couple of chapters will focus on one section in time and then we may flash forward a year or two. Hope you all like it. Any mistakes will be fixed up next upload.

Disclaimer – I do not own Naruto

THE TRIALS & TRIBULATIONS OF THE UCHIHA LIFE

-ONE-

It is a lovely day in Konohagakure. The autumn winds billow around, pushing the falling leaves throughout the atmosphere. The cherry blossom trees begin to shed gigantic pools of pink, covering the green grass with a perfect rosette blanket. The children of Konoha play exuberantly, happy to be finished another hard day at the academy.
Soon the vendors will close up shop and the night businesses will begin to thrive, bringing out shinobi and nocturnal people of all kinds. No matter whether it is day or night, Konoha is a vibrant sight to behold. During sun up the village holds a quaint feel that warms the soul, the vibrant colours of the trees and greenery highlighting the earthy tones of the leaf city. The orange and reds adorning many of the buildings show the towns heritage proudly as the people display their 'will of fire' throughout their every day lives.

For one young shinobi, the will of fire is certainly strong. As he bounds along the main street with chakra laced steps, very keen to reach his home and fill his belly up with something yummy. The Academy was particularly gruelling today, with Kakashi-sensei taking the class for once. Iruka-sensei will not be in for another two days, and little Itachi can't be happier. Not that Iruka-sensei does not do a good job. Having a new teacher is just all very exciting. Getting to show the famous copy nin all of the tricks his Otou-san showed him was amazing! The seasoned ninja even promised to teach him a few other things in a private session some time. It is definitely a surprise.

Raven hair bobs in the wind as he jumps excitedly. Itachi bets that his dear Okaa-san will be very proud of him when she hears the news.

At five years old, this little ninja in training is ahead of his class by three years and is the definition of child prodigy. His father could not be prouder, though, it has very little to do with his skill set.

This child has the heart and will of fire in bundles, and he shall grow into a glorious flame of hope for his people. Uchiha Itachi Jr. holds the golden heart of his mother and the genius of his father in his small form. Unfortunately, the child also holds an unseasoned love for Uzumaki Naruto's favourite – ramen.

The raven haired boy is certainly a mix bag of veritable heroism and he doesn't even know it yet.

The guards at the compound gates greet the boy cheerfully as he waves a quick hello. Today is the day his Otou-san will arrive home from his week long mission and Itachi is very excited! Next year he will enter a Genin team just like the one his father and mother were on when they were children. Secretly, he hopes to be placed with Kakashi-sensei. Many of the children are scared of the gigantic copy nin, who stands tall like and strong like an oak tree. Unwavering in the storm of life. Itachi is in awe of him though. Still, nothing can compare to his parents. Tsunade-baa says that his mother and father are the best team Konoha has produced. He has never been able to see them in action, but watching them train on weekends is really a sight to behold.
Itachi loves listening to stories of his parents and uncle Naruto, about their old missions, and used to be told one every night before bed. The Uchiha heir told his mother the previous year that he is a big ninja now and doesn't need bed time stories. In truth though, the little man sorely misses hearing of all the adventures. The journey always sounds hard and something exciting always happen! There is also always a lesson to be learned when uncle Naruto is involved.

Sometimes Otou-san complains about Oji-san, but the young boy knows that it is all in jest. The blonde man, with blue eyes and a foxy face is the bestest friend his father will ever have. He is also the best Hokage ever! Though, his mother made him promise never to tell Tsunade-baa-chan.

"Don't go offending your superiors Itachi even if you do think it's the truth." His Okaa-san told him lightly. Itachi understands though, Obaa-san is the best grangran ever! Aside from Mebuki Obaa-chan, she is great also. There are always treats to be had when they visit the Haruno's. Still they will never be as tasty as Okaa-san's food.

Darting past little houses that his Otou-san rents to villagers, Itachi waves to an elderly lady that always gives him tomatoes. She is watering her lawn like every other afternoon and is one of this child's favourite people.

"Sorry Obaa-chan can't talk today. Otou-san is home!" The boy calls out as he runs past the little cottage with vibrant pinks and blues surrounding the edge of its garden. The woman merely waves with a wry smile across her features. He is certainly a lively one.

Climbing the sturdy wooden steps of his home. The boy walks up to the front door at a more reserved pace. His Otou-san loves him very much, but Itachi knows that he does not tolerate unneeded racket. "You are not an Uzumaki!" His father told him when a toy shuriken went crashing through a priceless vase. It is not a fond memory, but the boy uses it to remind himself never to run around the house unnecessarily. He cried that day and although the boy's at school said that men aren't allowed to cry, his father merely bundled him up in his big strong arms and kissed his tears away. Otou-san said that crying is not a weakness if you have the physical strength and agility to back it up. "Sometimes, even shinobi need to cry." His fathers deep voice rumbles through his mind. "Have you ever cried Otou-chan?" Itachi remembers asking. Otou-san just chuckled softly and gave him a hug. "Of course I have cried. Many times. Do not be ashamed." Then he walked away leaving a memory for Itachi to hold for the rest of his life.

Shaking away the thoughts, the door opens under his small palm and his shoes are toed off and placed in their holder. Pulling out his house slippers, the raven haired boy shuffles them on and makes his way into the kitchen.

"Tadaima. Okaa-chan!" Itachi calls out rather loudly. His thin lips opening in a loud display of perfect teeth and sound. His deep green eyes shine with excitement, the light coming through big windows highlights the black edges of the emerald perfectly.

"Okaerinasai, Ita-chan." His mothers warm voice calls back, greeting him for the day. She comes into view then, at the kitchen archway. Her hair is piled up high on the top of her head and there is flour all over her apron. Itachi does not care though, he can't resist a hug.

With a sneaky smirk, he flashes forward before his mother can protest. The young boy squeezes the woman tightly, effectively wiping flour all over his deep blue high collared shirt.

"Itachi-chan, that wasn't very smart now was it?" Okaa-san scolds lightly as she pulls away. Trying in vain to wipe off the white powder from his front. "Come on. You will have a snack and you can tell me about your day." His pink haired mother tells him warmly.

Trailing behind happily, he places his bag on the chair beside him. The kitchen is lovely and big, Okaa-san once said that it was her dream kitchen, that Otou-san made it just for her.

The counter in the middle of the kitchen is wooden with a steel top that Okaa-san says is for making cooking easier. There are wooden cupboards that house the cups and plates that are much too high for him to reach. Though, he can jump really high with his ninja training!

That's not all he knows. Itachi is the best in his class at Tai Jutsu and learning Nin Jutsu from his Otou-san. They are not allowed to do that at the academy yet, so Itachi is very grateful. The boys Tai Jutsu is even better than Kenji's and his father is Konoha's beautiful green beast. Naruto Oji-san just calls him fuzzy brows though. He has a lot of names for many people.

The name the Hokage uses for his Otou-san is not allowed to be spoken. Okaa-san says that it is an adult word and only to be used by the big people.

Turning his attention back onto his cooking mother, Itachi can't help a warm feeling bubble up in his tummy. It has been so long since he has had his Okaa-san to himself. Shisui is always playing in his pen at this time of day, but Otou-san is a mamma hog. Itachi wishes that he could be a mamma hog too! Otou-san says that he loves Okaa-chan more...Itachi highly doubts it.

"Okaa-chan?" The boy says getting his mothers attention.

"Yes Itachi?" Her pink fringe pops out from the top of her head as she bends over to pour the yummy chocolate liquid. Otou-san thinks cakes are yuck and always gets his own special cake. He doesn't know what he is talking about because sweets a just divine.

"Can we make Otou-san's favourite for dinner? Will he be home tonight?" The boy bobs up and down in his seat with the easily exciting idea.

"Yes and yes." Sakura replies, opening the oven to place the cake inside. There is a puff of warm air that covers the room for a moment as the door closes quickly. Okaa-san sets the timer and moves over to the chopping board, where Itachi just notices, sit many tomatoes.

"Do you have any home work tonight?" Okaa-san's big eyes gaze up at him and the boy slumps a little in his chair.

"Yes..." Itachi says begrudgingly. He can never lie to his mother. "It's silly though, I already know how to throw a kunai perfectly. The same with a knife!" A grumpy scowl covers his pointy face at the thought of the other children's incompetence.

"Itachi-chan, we have been over this before." Sakura sighs, ruffling his spiky hair softly. "All of the other children are doing well for their age group, you are ahead of your time. How about you go and do a couple of rounds just so you can say you did it, hm?" Still, the boy does not reply. "Otou-san will be very unhappy to hear that you aren't completing your tasks. What do men do Itachi?"

Itachi just sighs heavily, "Men do their tasks and it makes them big and strong and accountable." That is what his father always says. "And what do men get to do?" A smile covers the pinkettes face as she cups her sons cheek. In an instant the grin is back on the boys face and he is jumping up out of his chair.

"Men get to learn Nin-jutsu! Arigatou Okaa-san." Itachi calls as he bolts quickly from the room. There is a training post in the back yard that he can practice on and then he can learn some cool new tricks!

The Uchiha heir does not see his mother chuckle lightly and get back to her work.

"Hello Shisui-chan." The older child says with a smile, patting his younger brother on the head. "Did you have fun playing today?" The three year old just stares up at his Onii-san stoically and looks back to his masterpiece.

The building blocks have been arranged in a perfect rendition of Hokage Tower. The picture of Team 7 standing in front of the red rimmed building with big smiling faces as Naruto is deemed Hokage, sits upon the mantle not far away. Shisui looks very proud of his efforts as he turns back to his brother.

"You did really well Shisui-chan. That's where Naruto-jii works, he is the leader of the city." Itachi praises the toddler. Okaa-san says that when children do things right they should be praised. Otou-san just said, "Don't give them big heads Sakura. Their Uchiha pride is enough on it's own." "Well I'll stop complimenting you then, hm?" Itachi doesn't want to think about the rest though, because his parents are all lovey and yuck.

"I know." Shisui replies easily, standing up on his little chubby legs. "I'm sure you did well at school today Onii-san." The three year old intones in a voice that is much too old for a boy his age.

"I need to do home work. Be good okay?" Itachi tells him standardly as he heads the backyard entranceway.

Shisui watches his big brother go and looks around his pen with apathetic eyes. Now that the Hokage Tower is done there is nothing keeping him here. Toddling over to the pen entrance the boy lets his feet glow blue, jumping high and undoing the latch in one movement. Soon he will be tall enough to use his hands. Okaa-san knows that the pen isn't doing anything, but the three year old will stay inside if it is her wish. His mother is his most precious person in the world. Otou-san says that Okaa-san is all of theirs but Shisui knows that his father thinks that Okaa-san is his. Shisui also knows that he loves Okaa-san more, but he will let Otou-san think what he likes. Okaa-san is his, not Itachi's or Otou-san's.

"Mine." Shisui's soft tone covers the room with inherent arrogance. His hair of ebony shines in the afternoon light as he takes a step forward, the straight locks sway easily in the wind that blows through the open back door. This child is certainly going to be a handful when he gets older.

With a small smirk, the toddler with the Uchiha attitude and high forehead walks towards the kitchen in search of the pretty woman with pink hair. He wants a hug.

xxx

Sasuke trudges down the main street of the Uchiha compound. However, trudging is more something that he feels as opposed to what people see. On the outside, the head of the Uchiha clan is as passive as ever. His stature tall and strong as he strides home after reporting a week long solo mission to the Hokage. The raven haired man in his early 20's cannot wait to get home, give his wife a big kiss and have a nice warm bath. It has been too long.

The smell of dinner cooking assaults his nostrils as heavy shinobi boots come into contact with the main stairs. The wood creaks a little under the bulk, despite the lean make of the man standing upon it. Pulling off the large shoes, Sasuke opts to leave them outside. Lest he wants an earful from his darling wife.

Both shinobi have had a hard week he is sure. What with Sakura doing the rearing all on her own and attending the Hospital when able. Their nanny will be back from vacation in a weeks time and he will get the pink haired medic all to himself once more. It has been much too long since they have had a mission together. Sasuke knows that Sakura doesn't mind as much as him, but that is a given with her soft heart swelling for their young lings.

The Uchiha Patriarch is very intent on spending some time with Itachi and Shisui before tasked to another mission and Naruto wholly agrees. The Hokage is busting at the seams to get out of Konoha for his annual mission, which is quite unorthodox for shinobi villages but the blonde leader doesn't care one bit. He would go out more if the council would let him. Though, when he is away Kakashi-senpai does a very good job in his place. Aside from the over abundance of paper work waiting when they return home, the lazy Jonin that he is.

Placing his pack down by the front door, Sasuke doesn't bother with house slippers and makes his way into the kitchen quickly. However, the man doesn't make it that far as he is bombarded with children.

"Otou-san!" Itachi yells as he flashes down the stairs.

"No shinobi speed in the house children!" Sakura calls from the kitchen. Something clinks and Sasuke can feel his wife coming his way.

Itachi does not bother to reply as he launches into his fathers arms. The man laughs and nuzzles his face against his eldest sons neck. "Hello Itachi-chan. Did you miss me?" Sasuke's deep voice reverberates throughout the small entrance room.

"Did I ever! I have so much to tell you Tousan." The boy holds his dad in a death grip of love before jumping backward with shinobi grace, landing easily on the floor a meter or two away.

Gazing downwards, Sasuke moves the hand resting on Shisui's head to pick him up easily. The three year old does not have an exuberant expression upon his pale face, like his brother. There is excitement within his black flecked eyes nonetheless. "Otou-san. I missed you." Shisui tells him in that reserved way of his. Sasuke's smile grows even more, this child's personality is so much like his Aniki that it is not funny. Itachi Jr. is very like himself as a child, aside from the Sakura that is rampaging through his little soul. Both boys are absolutely perfect.

Pecking his father on the cheek, Shisui let's himself be lowered to the ground easily. He watches on with wary eyes as his Otou-san greets his beloved mother.

"Tadaima Tenshi." Sasuke greets with a soft look upon his aristocratic face. He looks the same as the day he met his wife during the fourth shinobi war, only now, he is a man. Long gone is the thin teen and in its place stands a strong fully grown shinobi with all the right cuts in all the right places. Sakura calls him her stud, though he would just die if anyone else heard her.

Sakura's emerald eyes shine with happiness as she walks closer to her lover. "Okaerinasai Shujin." Her lips quirk upward as his arms envelop her waist easily.

"None of that." Sasuke says against her lips, "If anything you are my master." As lips meet a little too hungrily the sound of Itachi making 'yuck' noises can be heard in the back ground. Shisui merely holds the hem of his mother's apron and narrows his eyes.

Resting their foreheads together Sasuke says, "It's good to be home."

"I'll show you how good later." Sakura whispers, kissing him once more.

The sound of the kettle screeching breaks the love birds apart, but it does not matter because they are all together: Sasuke, Sakura and their little family.

Life is calm at the moment...

xxx

A/N So what did you all think of the first chapter?

This is a little out of my element because it is so happy so I hope I am doing you guys proud xP

Reviews are like my life force. They are the juice that makes my fingers want to keep typing.

GIMME SOME JUICE =P

See you next chapter,

MerinxD