A/N: Surprise! It's really short but since people are still reviewing this after all my neglect I decided it was time to update. This was the result. Despite its painfully brief length I sincerely hope you enjoy it!
Disclaimer: I can only wish the awesome characters of Naruto were mine...
Chapter 3
Always
-Uchiha Compound 10 years later-
Madara and Izuna had just returned from a long, bloody battle with the Senju. Though it could be considered a victory for the Uchiha, it certainly didn't feel like it. The seemingly endless loss of life weighed heavily on the brothers. They looked around them at the many wounded who had to take turns carrying those who were worse off than they. Worse yet, it wasn't over.
Apparently one of the Senju on the verge of death had slipped his comrade a small note. That ninja was killed by Madara and Izuna who had seen the exchange and immediately snatched the note from the corpse. It had been a message detailing the current base's location as well as the easiest places to gain access to the base, but what forced the Uchiha to face facts were the descriptions of the inside of their hideout. There was little to no room for doubt. There was a traitor in the clan.
Before Madara and Izuna became co-leaders of the clan, a win was a win and a loss was a loss. It didn't matter who or how many died to achieve victory. A certain pink haired doctor had taught them to value life a bit more. Just the idea of a traitor in the clan and how many lives were sacrificed because of it, boiled their proud Uchiha blood. As Sakura ran out to heal those on the brink of death the Uchiha leaders reflected on how happy they had been since her arrival.
10 years prior, when the future leaders brought her to the base, the clan threw a hissy fit. Both Madara and Izuna had been beaten before they could get a word in. Bringing in an outsider was the worst crime an Uchiha could commit. Madara and Izuna just took it and didn't lift a finger to defend themselves. They were told time and time again to kill the girl, but they refused, Sakura's tears and her strength still a vivid picture in their minds. When they were beaten half to death and still refusing to kill her, one of the clan members tried to do it instead. Madara and Izuna leaped into action. Izuna backed Sakura into a corner and stood protectively in front of her while Madara struck down his own clansman, sharingan blazing, without an ounce of hesitation or regret. As Izuna looked on with ice cold eyes the clan realized he had awakened stage one of his own sharingan. No one dared to touch her after that.
The Uchihas were completely stunned, however, when the girl showed off her extensive knowledge of herbs to make medicine for her two protectors. Once they realized how intelligent she was, Madara and Izuna taught her chakra control. (Or so they believe since she had kept practicing her control even in her six year old body.) For the next ten years things continued pretty much the same way. Madara and Izuna would fight someone, Sakura would heal them, and they would thank her by teaching her something or discussing their theories, thoughts, and ideas.
As they grew bigger and stronger the boys love for Sakura continued to grow. She treated every single Uchiha as a family member and never complained about anything other than the boys constantly trying to distract her from her work. She was determined to earn her keep despite the fact that Madara and Izuna wanted to treat her as the princess they first saw her as.
Sakura snapped them out of their musings when she gently laid her hands over both of them. She had become so gifted in the healing arts that all she needed was a single hand to heal a person with what could be considered terminal illnesses or fatal injuries and she no longer had to place it over a wound as she used to. The teenage Uchiha heads shared a grim look. They knew exactly what would happen if the fact of a traitor among the Uchiha was discovered. The whole clan would suspect their Sakura and either demand for her immediate death. The traitor probably knew that too. Finding the traitor would require stealth and speed. The boys' eyes hardened with unwavering resolve to protect the person closest and most precious to them.
Izuna softly kissed Sakura's cheek and gave her that gentle smile that only appeared when she was around. Madara retaliated by pulling her against his chest and laying his head on top of hers. Sakura looked at both of them with a confused expression knowing something was wrong but also knowing better than to pry. Instead she kissed both of them on the cheek.
She looked at the men who had become so dear to her and said exactly what was on her mind. "I'm here if you need me. Always."
A/N: I don't usually put an a/n at the end, but I wanted to ask what you thought of the leaving the only dialogue until the end. More dialogue? No dialogue? Did you like it or dislike it? If you don't care either way be sure to let me know that too. Thanks for reading! Take care.
