Two years have passed since what you read last in Crimson Met Jade. The story opens in a old ANBU base provided for Sakura and Itachi ( more for sakura and subaki than Itachi) by Lady Tsunade for them to live in while the trial takes place. Saskue does not live with them but is around frequently for Sakura and Subaki only. At this point in time Sakura and Itachi have left the Akatskui for reasons that will be explained later. Enjoy!

"You shouldn't be so arrogant, it won't look good in front of the Elders." I folded the collar of Saskue's black dress shirt neatly. I knew better but somehow I was still slightly baffled at how an Uchiha's pride could get in the way of even the most crucial situations.

"I don't need their forgiveness." Saskue snorted as if disgusted at the thought of actually asking someone for forgiveness. He had a bad habit of demanding rather than asking.

Just like Itachi.

Rolling my eyes I ignored the urge to slap some sense in to him, literally.

"Saskue, regardless of how you feel, this isn't all about you. In order for the people in the village to feel safe and comfortable they need to know your story and how you really feel. It wouldn't look good to just let you walk back into the village without consequence. Tell them the truth and everything else will work out just fine." I smiled as I took a step back to get a full body look at him.

"You clean up rather nice. You look so cute!" I teased, knowing it would utterly mortify him.

Giving me the infamous Uchiha death glare he rolled his eyes and turned around to the kitchen counter, grabbing a tomato out of the fruit bowl.

"I can't believe after a year of exile and another year of investigation this nightmare is finally about to be over." He let out a soft sigh as he brought the tomato to his mouth taking a bite.

Inside I was just as relieved as Saskue, however I was fearful for the outcome of today's trial. Saskue had technically betrayed the village by leaving without explanation and eventually being labeled a missing nin. However he technically hadn't intentionally caused any harm to the leaf. Yes, he was conspiring with Orochimaru but that was for an entirely different matter regarding Itachi. On the other hand he did kill Kabuto and absorb Orochimaru, saving my life. That would be a positive for his trial. Still, the Elders had to buy his explanation and believe his intentions were never to harm the leaf. Deep down I knew Saskue would be pardoned with some mild consequence.

"Sakura, you're daydreaming again."

I broke away from my thoughts.

"Sakura?" Saskue raised an eyebrow.

I pinched my eyebrows together in confusion.

"Subaki is crying, do you not hear her?" he asked.

A soft cry was coming from down the hall.

"Shit." I turned walking hurriedly down the hall.

Opening the bedroom door I laughed at the sight before me. Subaki had attempted to climb out of her crib but had failed midway, with one leg hanging over the rail and the other dangling below.

Walking over to her rescue I scooped her up into my arms kissing the tears streaming down her face.

"Such an ambitious Uchiha you are, misume."

"No….big girl…" she pouted.

"Yes you are a big girl, but even big girls need help too sometimes." I smoothed out the black fly away strands poking out from her bed head.

I couldn't believe two whole years had passed since I had given birth to Subaki. Four months premature I feared for her health daily but from day one she was determined to prove her strength. Just like the flower Itachi named her after, Subaki had the ability to defy all odds and whether any storm. Now two years old and full of life she was already showing the signs of being a true prodigy. Almost able to talk in full sentences. Itachi wanted to start introducing kunai to her right after her second birthday but I threatened his life (sex life included) needless to say he heeded my warning. I wanted Subaki to enjoy a normal child hood, if she wanted to be a kunoichi that would be a decision she made not one that I or Itachi made for her.

"Mama? Tomato?"

Translation, mommy I'm hungry and want to steal half of the tomato I know uncle Saskue is having for breakfast.

"Hai, misume." I smiled walking out of the bedroom and into the kitchen.

"Sausi!" she lit up shouting out her version of Saskue's name when she seen him leaning against the kitchen counter.

"Hey there squirt." He handed her the other half of his tomato he had already cut anticipating she would ask for it.

Wiggling in an attempt to get down and walk, I set her feet first on the floor and watched her walk over to Saskue. Eating a tomato in one hand, she hugged his leg with the other. Seeing Subaki and Saskue's relationship gave me a feeling of extreme happiness. I could see the life return to Saskue when he was with her. It made him content, knowing that the Uchiha clan was being restored. Although the fact that it was not Saskue restoring it but rather Itachi bothered him immensely, Subaki in a way cancelled out that feeling when she was around him.

Subaki was taking giant bites out of the tomato, causing the juice to drip down her chin. She had a rather bad habit of biting off more than she could chew. Like I said, ambitious.

"Subaki, what did your father tell you about eating that way?" I reprimanded.

"Hai mama, daddy no here." She smiled.

"Is that so?" his monotone voice came from behind me as he walked into the kitchen.

Raising a single brow he gave Subaki the look causing her to lower her gaze to the floor.

He cleared his throat.

Raising her gaze back to meet his, she ran over to him tilting her head back to look up at him and extended her arm up presenting the half eaten tomato to him giving him a hesitant smile.

"Help, daddy?"

Translation I know I'm in trouble but if I look cute enough maybe you will forget I just tried to manipulate mommy, so instead I'm going to manipulate you with my cuteness.

Itachi let out a soft sigh and reached down, picking her up in his arms. Resting her on one hip he grabbed the tomato from her took a small bite and handed it back to her.

"Small bites, Subaki." He warned.

Turning his attention away from Subaki, Itachi glanced over at Saskue.

"Itachi."

"Saskue."

Itachi and Saskue had not spoken much during the year of exile and the year of investigation on the Orochimaru incident. Their relationship wasn't so much of an I want to kill you and avenge my clan I hate you. It was as if they were avoiding each other now. I vaguely remember what happened back at Orochimaru's hideout after Itachi and the others arrived, I was told by Naruto and Ino that Itachi had taken a hit for Saskue and saved his life but every time I bring it up to either one of them they always tell me it was nothing or respond with their irritating "Hn" thing that they do. I've learned not to push for information out of either of them, Itachi especially. He's really good at distracting me with sex or just ignoring me all together when it comes to him and Saskue.

A knock at the door broke the awkward silence between the two.

Opening the door I was greeting by Kakashi and Shikimaru.

"Sakura, it's time." Kakashi nodded.

Saskue walked out of the kitchen and through the front door quietly. Itachi followed behind him, stopping to hand me Subaki. He extended out a finger, poking her in the forehead causing her to frown. She really looked like Saskue when she did that. She hated her father's poke for one reason only, she knew it meant he was about to leave for either a mission or he had to do something that required him to be gone for a good amount of time.

"I'll meet you in the Leaf by tomorrow's nightfall. The trial won't begin until the next morning, Subaki and I will depart from here as soon as Deidera and Sasori return." I said to him.

"Hn."

Translation, you're traveling by yourself with our daughter?

"Don't worry, Deidera is escorting us to the gates of Konoha."

Nodding he took one more look at Subaki before turning and disappearing into the trees.

"Tsunade, please pardon them both." I said aloud to myself as I walked back into the base.

A short chapter I know but I didn't want to make you guys wait until the end of the week so I have you a sneak peek! What do you think? Any predictions for what will happen this go round? : )