GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE! THE EARTH SAYS HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Disclaimer: If I owned Naruto, there would be more catfights between Ino and Temari for Shikamaru.

It's short, I know. I sorry.

When Sakura finally decided to leave the room, she only got ten feet down the hallway before that infuriatingly peppy woman, Mikoto, suddenly appeared before Sakura. With a shriek, the startled medic-nin skidded to a halt, just barely managing to avoid hitting the older woman.

"It's good to see you up and about again, Sakura-chan," Mikoto grinned widely, doting over Sakura like an overenthusiastic mother (which, don't get me wrong, she most definately is)," You gave us quite a scare yesterday. Itachi didn't even have time to catch you before you hit the floor." Wide eyed, Sakura shook her head, trying to keep up with Mikoto's rapid paced questions. Not noticing that she was rambling, Mikoto continued on," Thankfully, since you're a medic, you already healed your minor concussion before you even woke up. But you never did tell us what happened. You just fell over so suddenly. Just why did you faint, Sakura-chan?"

Ahh, so then came the important question everyone's been dying to ask. At first, Sakura was unsure exactly how to explain to Mikoto that she was from the future and that her precious son, Itachi, was doomed to kill them all. Yes, that would make quite a nice conversation with the Uchiha matriarch, would it not?

"I apologize, Mikoto-sama," Sakura smiled at the older woman, deciding that once again, telling a partial truth would suffice," It's just that I had no idea that you were the prestigious Uchiha clan. I was startled after discovering that I had acted so callously around the head of the clan. I'm sorry if I've offended you."

Thankfully, the eccentric woman accepted Sakura's explanation, if one could tell from the wide grin on her face. " Oh, you don't have to be so formal in this house, Sakura-chan!" Mikoto exclaimed, waving her dainty pale hand," Just because you just found out we're the Uchiha's doesn't mean that you have to act different around us. What did you think we'd do? Kill you because you're a Senju in the Uchiha- Oops!"

Shocked at the words she had accidentally released, Mikoto slapped her hands over her mouth; her panic obvious in the widening of her eyes. Nervously, she glanced at Sakura, who had gone oddly quiet.

Senju?

The Senju clan was hated by the Uchiha. It's the reason why they hated the fourth Hokage, and then Naruto.

But I'm not a Senju...

They believe you are.

"Sakura-chan?" Mikoto parted her hands just enough to whisper out the girl's name in questionment (is this even a word?). Absentmindedly, Sakura glanced at Mikoto with blank green eyes. She saw no hatred in the older woman's eyes, only worry and concern. But that couldn't be right...

The Uchiha hated the Senju. Hated them for becoming the rulers of Konoha, for becoming the Hokage line when all the Uchiha's wanted was their chance at glory. To be forever known as Hokage's, and not just a powerful clan.

But no matter how hard Sakura looked, she could not find a trace of hate in the Uchiha matriarch.

"Sakura-chan," Mikoto continued when Sakura would not speak, but speaking slowly as if she was talking to a frightened animal that could bolt at any second," It's...It's okay if you're really a Senju. We won't do anything to hurt you. We took you in because you were hurt and we wouldn't turn you out just because of your name. Just please...don't be afraid of us."

For the longest time, Sakura was silent, much to Mikoto's chagrin. When the rose-haired girl spoke, her voice was gruff," Who said...who told you my name is...Senju Sakura?"

"Why...the Hokage did."

"Oh," was all Sakura could say, although the gears in her head were spinning out of control. She didn't even want to think about how the Hokage even knew she was there, or why he called her Senju Sakura. Did she really look like a Senju just because of her bright characteristics? The Senju were always known for their bright and colorful attributes (easily recognized in Naruto's ocean blue eyes and sunshine yellow hair) whereas the Uchiha were always the dark half of the circle. The Senju were the Yin, and the Uchiha the Yang.

"Mikoto-sama?" Sakura asked quietly, her voice a little harsh, as if she was forcing herself to speak.

"Yes?"

"Do you...Do you hate me?"

What Sakura never expected was for the older woman to wail loudly and throw herself at Sakura, determinedly locking the young kunoichi in a motherly embrace. Sakura could not react fast enough and could only stand there, shocked beyond belief.

"No no no, Sakura!" Mikoto wailed and hugged Sakura even tighter," I could never hate you! You're like the daughter I never had!" Sakura smiled lightly; Mikoto reminded her so much of Tsunade when she was drunk. When totally hammered, the Fifth Hokage would become emotional and overtly attached to both her and Shizune.

"I wuuuuuuv you, Shizune-chaaaaan!"

"Tsunade-sama! You're drunk again!"

"Neh, what did you expect, Shizune?" Sakura shook her head as she entered the office, hands full of papers from the hospital.

"Sakura-chaaaaaan!" the overly drunk Hokage all but leaped from her desk and had her pupil locked in a bone crushing embrace," I wuv you, my best student!"

"Shishou, I'm your only student."

"But still my beeeeeeest!"

While Mikoto continued to squeeze the life out of Sakura, the young kunoichi couldn't help but smile back and return the hug.

"I believe you, Mikoto-san," she whispered, feeling the words pass her lips before she even knew she said them. She wasn't sure if Mikoto heard her, but could only assume when the older woman tightened her embrace. As Sakura slowly became accustomed to the feeling of being held and protected once more, a nagging thought tugged at the back of her head. It was the feeling of having a mother again. Of having someone there that loved you regardless.

With a sudden revelation, she realized that she, in some tiny hidden part of her heart, also saw Mikoto as the mother she lost so many years ago. As she glanced at the Uchiha matriarch, a certain warmth flowed through her body, finally settling down in her heart. And she realized that she would protect Mikoto; even from her own son, Itachi...

"Sakura-san," Uchiha Fugaku faced the young but formidable kunoichi with a serious face," I have recently spoken to the Hokage." Sakura could only nod silently, still not quite understanding why the Uchiha patriarch had called her away from Mikoto for a private word in his study. Obviously what he had to say was of importance, but she couldn't understand how it had anything to do with her.

"Seeing as you have no family remaining, and as we are the ones to begin treating you after your ordeal," he continued, ignoring her nod completely," We have agreed that you will be placed under Uchiha name until you make a full recovery."

Fugaku could not have said more shocking words. To Sakura, the world seemed to have stopped moving. If what Fugaku just said was true, it meant that Sakura was now under Uchiha protection, given a few Uchiha rights, was to be treated as an Uchiha. This was a huge step for Fugaku, who upheld his clan's name as a first priority. Now he was all but bringing Sakura into the clan; Sakura, a common kunoichi with no heroic tale or fame; or even Senju Sakura, who was the sworn enemy of the Uchiha.

"Ano, Uchiha-sama," she blinked up at him," May I ask why? Surely I am able to fend for myself in Konoha. It is unlikely for more harm to come to me while healing in my own village. And finding somewhere to stay would not be hard. I...I wouldn't want to impose on the clan. Surely I would be a burden."

Fugaku merely looked at her with his usual hard eyes and grim expression," I won't lie, it will an annoying responsibility having you around. You are after all, not an Uchiha, but a Senju." Before Sakura could react angrily, she noticed how the lines under his eyes softened just the tiniest of bit," But it would be best if you were here. You have a positive side effect upon my family and I at least admit that you have potential unseen in most kunoichi your age. When my youngest son found you in those woods, you became the clan's responsibility and therefore, my responsibility."

"Aa..." Sakura could only let that one tiny sound escape her lips as she thought over what Fugaku had just told her. She affected the main Uchiha family positively? She had unusual potential? The Uchiha's were claiming responsibility for her, therefore becoming her guardians? Sakura had been searching for these very things since she was a small girl. Someone to need her in their life; someone to reassure that she was not weak; a family to come home to...

After sixteen years, it finally took the dead Uchiha patriarch, the stoic and hard ass Fugaku, to say those things to her? Of anyone in the entire world, it was Uchiha Fugaku?

"Of course, you must also work for your stay," Fugaku continued, not realizing the full scale of what he's just said," I still expect you to maintain a regular occupation, to help around the house wherever Mikoto deems fit, and perhaps accompany a few Uchiha on their missions. As a medic-nin, you will be beneficiary to the squadron."

Even though his words were monotonous and calculating; even though his tone was clipped and gruff; even though he showed no emotion on his face, Sakura could not help the smile erupting from her face. After sixteen fucking long years, here was someplace she could call a home, if only temporary. She had finally found someplace that needed her, that would acknowledge her usefulness.

If Fugaku was surprised by her happy response to his news, he did not show it. Instead, he stood there stoicly as she bowed lowly, unable to wipe that smile off her face. "Arigatou gozaimasu, Uchiha-sama," she thanked him properly and formally, another thing that he liked about her," This is something I never expected. I won't let you down."

"No, I should suspect you won't," he finished before shooing her out of his office so he could get some work done.

When Sakura left the main study, she suddenly found herself face to face with twelve year old Uchiha Sasuke. Startled, she froze on the spot and could only stare back at him. On his young face was a stubborn look, one that slightly accusing.

"Ano, hello Sasuke-kun," she greeted nervously. Really now, how was she supposed to act around the younger version of her first love? It was unheard of! What was a girl to do in situations such as this one? And it really didn't help when he was giving her that look like he was right now. Even on such a young face, he had mastered it.

"Why me?" he asked curtly.

Thrown a curveball, Sakura coul only blink at him. "Excuse me?" she questioned, not fully understanding his demand.

Sasuke sighed, as if what he had just said made perfect sense," Why did you faint when you saw me? You were perfectly alright when you discovered that we were Uchiha, but when you laid eyes on me, you suddenly fainted with a look of fear on your face. I want to know why."

Sakura had to give it to him, this kid was good. Even at twelve, he was so observant and spotted something that neither his father nor brother noticed. She smiled, knowing that it would please him to know that he had bested his brother in one thing at least.

"You're very observant, Sasuke-kun. Not even Itachi figured it out," she smiled at him, earning a wary but pleased expression from him. He still didn't trust her, but hearing such praise, even from a stranger, obviously made him happy. She saw his form relax slightly and some of the tension left his body, although his eyes never lost their focus.

"It's not you particularly that surprised me, Sasuke-kun," she sighed, knowing with Sasuke's stubborn nature he wouldn't rest until she gave him his answer," It's just that...I had a teammate, a friend once... He meant a lot to me and we lost him for a few years... The funny thing is...His name is Sasuke too."

Even after all this time, Sakura found that a surprised expression on Sasuke's face was most adorable. Giggling cutely, she continued on her way down the hall, ready for some tea and light conversation with Mikoto.

But Sasuke's voice stopped her," What did my father say to you?"

Looking over her shoulder, she smiled," Apparently, you're my family now."

Not bothering to see yet another surprised look on Sasuke's face, she turned around again to head for the kitchen. With happy thoughts, she hoped Mikoto had some tea already set out and maybe some of her onigiri.

What she never expected was for the younger Uchiha to suddenly be at her side, grasping her arm in his firm grip. "Ehh?! Sasuke-kun?"

"You should meet the rest of the family then, Sakura-nee," he smirked (dear Kami, his smirk will never change!) and continued on dragging her down the hall to wherever the hell he wanted. And not matter what she said or did would deter him.

Before Sakura knew it, she was facing about five Uchiha clan members, each of which who were staring at her with varying expressions. Some were confused, some wary, and others annoyed. Sasuke stood at her side, with the look of a smug dog that had just brought his master a bone.

"Sasuke-kun, why the hell am I here?" she whispered venomously at him, wishing upon wishes to be able to throttle the younger Uchiha. But just her luck, they were surrounded by his clan members who would probably kill her if they had even the slightest thought that she was harmful to their precious Sasuke.

"You should meet the rest of the clan, Sakura-chan," he answered, still smirking brightly at her," If you're going to be with us for a while, I'd rather not have to explain to everyone why we have a non-Uchiha living here day in and day out." Sakura scowled at him distastefully. With his family intact, this Sasuke was much different than the one she grew up knowing; this one was much more annoying and cocky.

"You're a shrewd and evil little kid, do you know that?"

"Sasuke-kun, we would like some answers too," one of the Uchiha woman spoke up in a voice that was used to being obeyed. Judging by the woman's apron and broom in hand, Sakura guessed that she was a mother used to trying to control untameable Uchiha children.

"Aa," Sasuke nodded respectfully at his aunt and unabashedly gave Sakura a little push towards the five Uchiha clan members," Mina-san (everyone), this is Sakura-nee-chan. Father says she is going to take on the Uchiha name for the time being." A few gasped at the sudden news and Sakura blushed in embarrassment, not liking that she was now the center of attention once again.

Others, however, did not seem in the least surprised. Namely the young man with wild black hair in a long ponytail. He just looked at Sakura with mild interest, even cocking his head to the side to see her from a different angle. The younger man at his side openly gaped at Sakura, with something akin to awe in his eyes. Even though Sakura was pretty sure he was checking her out, she had to admit that he was ridiculously good looking. (Proof that attractiveness runs in the Uchiha gene!) His hair hung loose around his face, held back only by his headband. A few bangs fell over his face, which he kept batting at in order to get a better view at her. Just like the rest of the Uchiha, his eyes were a charcoal black.

He only tore his eyes away from Sakura to whisper in the older man's ear, a hint of a smile on his face. Whatever he said, must've pissed the older man off, for the next second a tick mark appeared on the man's forehead and the poor unfortunate boy found himself a foot deep in the ground.

"Neh, what did he do this time, Shisui?" Sasuke frowned at the fallen boy, shaking his head. The older man, now identified as Shisui, frowned as well," You don't want to know." Deciding it best to ignore the hopeless boy, Shisui's dark grey eyes wandered over to Sakura, again with that cool aloofness.

"So you're the mysterious Sakura," he mused," It's about time we met properly. You weren't exactly able to introduce yourself when we met." At Sakura's confused face, he explained," You were still in a coma when I picked you up from the hospital. I am Uchiha Shisui, Sasuke and Itachi's older cousin."

From beside her, Sasuke took over, not wanting to lose his spotlight to the likes of Shisui," This is my aunt and uncle, Yuki-san (Snow) and Yuuki-san (Bravery)."

Sakura's eyes twinkled," Yuki and Yuuki?"

The mother's eyes sparkled as she laughed out loud," It was an unfortunate thing. Of all the Uchiha men to fall in love with, it was the man with the same name as me."

Sakura smiled," At least I'll never have to worry about that. I doubt I'll find a man with the name Sakura."

Both women laughed before launching into an in depth conversation about unisex and mismatched names. Looking on at the two women easily getting along, Shisui and Sasuke were silently praising the bond the two were making. From Sasuke's point of view, he was glad that Sakura was already making allies in the Uchiha clan; perhaps he wouldn't have to worry about the clan rejecting her just because she wasn't Uchiha.

From Shisui's point of view, he approved Sakura's interaction with his strict mother. Usually, his mother was a different matter when it came to unruly children and has developed a certain authority around everyone else. For her to be able to talk so freely so quickly with Sakura was testament to Sakura's natural talent to bring out the best in people. Shisui wasn't sure if his mother had taken a liking to Sakura because of the girl's lively personality, or because of something else.

He glanced away from the two women for a moment to look down at his younger brother. Uchiha Takanami (high waves) was such a ladie's man that sometimes it was embarrassing. The kid had looks and skill, he'll give him that, but sometimes Takanami could be such a pushover. More than once Shisui's had to rescue his baby brother from some bad relationships, where the girl had suddenly decided that she wore the pants in the relationship. And judging from the looks of Sakura, Shisui guessed that she was one hell of a spitfire and unable to control. It would take a real Uchiha to keep up with her.

At that thought, Shisui frowned, remembering what his baby brother had whispered to him at first sight of Sakura.

"Now that she's Uchiha, does that mean she's free-game?"

Shisui mentally scowled. It was true; as long Fugaku-sama announced Sakura under Uchiha name and protection, it was likely that she was now available to Uchiha bachelors. Normally, Uchiha men chose Uchiha women to marry and mate with, but could also choose someone under the Uchiha name and not Uchiha by blood. Shisui knew in Sakura's situation that after an extended amount of time, she would relinquish the Uchiha name and take up the Senju name again. But if she married an Uchiha before that time, then she would forever remain an Uchiha.

It had taken Takanami less that two seconds to come to this conclusion, so Shisui could only guess that it would take the rest of the clan only a day to realize there was a new bachelorette in the clan. Shisui could easily name five young men who would most definately pursue Sakura; they were getting a little desperate with the shortage of Uchiha women.

But then again, it was Fugaku himself who announced Sakura an Uchiha, so perhaps the clan head had plans for her? Shisui could only wonder.

"Neh, you're so mean nii-san," Takanami's voice drifted up to Shisui's ears," You didn't have to knock me out."

"Hn,"

Now sitting up, Takanami looked over at Sakura and his parents easily talking with each other. Little Sasuke stood off to the side, a small pout on his face. Obviously he was upset that Sakura had been taken from him so easily and he was excluded from their little conversation. Takanami chuckled at the younger Uchiha's misfortune. But then he gazed up at his elder brother.

"You know I'm not gonna be the only one right?"

"Aa," Shisui responded, not seeming to care either way.

Takanami groaned," Great. This means I'm gonna have to go up against Houka and Kaji."

Smirk. "Aa."

Hope you all liked it. It was about damn time I got this written.

Review?