It was two days later that Mebuki got another visitor this one well-known around the village, and rather important if she wasn't mistaken "I apologize for barging into your house Mebuki-san but I was informed that my youngest son insulted your daughter" Mikoto Uchiha announced.
Smiling calmly "Well that's news to me, Sakura-chan did, Mikoto-san's son insult you" Mebuki turned her attention on her own precious child, hating the thought that she was still getting bullied just for wanting to be a ninja, life-changing news excluded since they didn't have proof yet.
The young girl's head snapped up and her eyes rounded at the pretty ravenette sitting in her mother's favorite chair to knit or sew "Do you mean Sasuke…well he kinda did but I understand" Sakura hunched her shoulders admitting the truth after earning a nod from the woman.
Mikoto was beside herself at how adorable the little girl was, probably why Shisui had approached in the first place, pink hair like that was rare and it was such a lovely and cute shade that it made her want to get her hands in it and just play with the silky tresses.
"Now that I have proof, I'd like to invite you over on my youngest son's behalf for a play date Sakura-chan and lunch if that's alright, Sasuke-chan has been scolded severely for his lapse in manners that have been instilled in him" the raven haired woman offered.
As much as she wanted to sigh she didn't, strange things had been happening since she'd been given the news and she had this funny feeling things were going to be like this for a good long while to "How about it Sakura do you want to go play with Sasuke-san" the blonde asked.
If there was one thing she wouldn't do it would be to force her daughter somewhere she didn't feel comfortable going "Will Shisui-san be there" the rosette inquired, wanting at least a friendly person on her side just in case things ended up going south on her.
Onyx orbs blinked in slight surprise "Course Shisui-chan will be there Sakura-chan, do you want to take anything, toys or games" Mikoto smiled brightly, seemed the girl had taken a shining to the flamboyant teenager somewhat, perhaps this could be used.
To mend their relationship between the village's occupants and prove that they were needlessly being placed under suspicion and unwarranted observation, if it got the people to see that they were making an effort to actually get along, then they wouldn't be so quick to judge hopefully.
"Go along Sakura-chan and have fun on your play date with Sasuke-san" Mebuki waved watching her daughter brighten with happiness, as she jumped up and grabbed her favorite game of Go from the cupboard then latch onto Mikoto's hand.
Before they both disappeared out the door, leaving her to continue knitting as she had been doing until she'd gotten a must unexpected visitor, slightly worried since her daughter could still blab but hopefully the Uchiha Clan would know how to keep the secret.
Meanwhile all through the village to the Uchiha Compound, they garnered stares or glares and Sakura practically glued herself to Mikoto's side a little disconcerted "Um Mikoto-san why are they staring or glaring like that" Sakura inquired just a little bit frightened really.
Less surprised than before at the girls intuitiveness Mikoto glanced down "It's because I'm an Uchiha, we're not exactly welcome for rumors that aren't true" the Uchiha Matriarch informed gently with a rueful smile, if things didn't get resolved she feared for what the future would be like for her family and clan.
Sakura blinked her eyes in confusion "Not nice to make up rumors about people, I trust you Mikoto-san" then the little pinkette did something completely unexpected by walking a little straighter, head held high, her hand lightly clasped in her's, it was adorable that small defiance.
The civilians and other shinobi gave pause upon hearing this statement wondering if they weren't just mindless lambs, how could they be so quick to judge some of their own after all, it was that small act from a child no less that made them start thinking truly for themselves, and with it a revolution was born.
Not that it would be a fast acting revolution, but one nonetheless and the Uchiha would find themselves regarded with trust once more around the village in the coming years "Real sweet of you Sakura-chan" Mikoto couldn't help but be absolutely besotted with the young girl.
And was rewarded with a bright smile in return "We're all supposed to be family in a way at least that's what the book at the library said, the Will of Fire I think it was, how people can treat their own family or friends like that is horrible" Sakura frowned.
It really was quite astonishing how the words of a little girl could impact her so deeply even affect those around her and soon they was ushering down the streets of the Uchiha Compound "Here we are Sakura-chan, home sweet home" the raven haired woman announced with a giggle.
Spreading her arms wide to show off the large house behind her, Sakura stared up at it in awe "Do you ever get lost in there" the only thing the fuscia haired five year old could ask as she threw open the door with flare and helped Sakura take off her sandals and put them neatly to the side.
Definitely a valid question Mikoto thought to herself in amusement "Perhaps sometimes we do get a little turned around, but I'd have to say more personal affects get lost than we do" Mikoto answered as seriously as she could trying not to giggle anymore.
"Oh look who Mikoto-sama brought Sasuke-chan, Sakura-chan how are you I know it's been a couple of days and I was meaning to visit but Fugaku-sama scolded me for avoiding my duties a little bit" Shisui was the first to spot the two females meandering into the living room.
Having a grand ole time it seemed like, he couldn't resist now though and quickly snapped the small girl up into a hug "Careful Shisui-san or you'll make her sick" Itachi warned seeing the dazed expression from the fast movements she'd just experienced.
Shisui had the grace to look sheepish "Whatever I'm sorry for calling you a stupid fan-girl" Sasuke grunted clearly not liking this situation, now the girl was sure to turn into one, being invited directly by his mother for a play date with one another.
On her part Sakura could barely even look the boy her age in the eyes, not because she had a crush on him or anything but she just didn't want to incite Ami or any other girl's wrath for daring to look at their crush let alone be invited over to play with their crush.
That was sure to spell her doom if any of the rabid Uchiha fan-girls learned of this fact "No it's okay I wasn't even mad" Sakura flashed him a brief smile then continued staring intently at the floor as if it was the most interesting thing in the entire world.
Mikoto creased her brow in concern, one minute the girl's all bubbly, the next demure and awfully shy, perhaps Sakura did have a crush on her youngest and was a fan-girl after all, then she noted the fearful way she avoided looking at Sasuke, had the poor girl been threatened.
A possibility probably by other fan-girls "Right, so you two go play in the backyard, make friends with one another, Itachi, Shisui watch them" Mikoto clapped her hands, sitting down to think over the last several minutes and all that had happened.
While the young ones moved outside to play as suggested "Okay so what do you even like to do anyway" the second Uchiha crossed his arms sulkily, not really paying attention to how Sakura acted in his presence, he was to annoyed really because his mom had made him apologize.
Even invited the girl over for lunch and to play "I like trivia and games that challenge my mind, strategizing among other things" the rosette informed still keeping her gaze down, she'd actually thought Mikoto had been kidding about playing with Sasuke, turns out she hadn't been.
Itachi raised a brow at this "Do you also like drawing Sakura-san" the Uchiha heir inquired with a gentle smile, sensing that the young girl was uncomfortable for some reason, did it have to due with the rumors spreading about them, he didn't know for sure but she was uncomfortable.
So he felt it was up to himself and Shisui to make the girl comfortable there in their home, Sakura immediately perked up at that and nodded eagerly "How about we take turns then you play a little with Sasuke-chan, then you can come sit with me or Itachi to draw a bit" the older Uchiha offered.
With a much better idea than simply playing with Sasuke the whole time "Okay, so what would you like to play Sasuke" Sakura in her excitement forgot all about her self-prescribed promise to never look Sasuke in the eyes and turned to him waiting patiently for his answer.
Then her expression turned as she realized that she'd broken her promise and quickly shrunk in on herself losing that usual brash and excitable temperament again "Why do you do that, how can we play anything if you won't so much as look at me" Sasuke snapped hotly.
Frustrated somewhat with the situation Sakura hunched her shoulders at that and drew back a little ways, it was worrisome how quick her demeanor had changed "Sakura-chan what's the matter, did someone do something to you" Shisui was the first to guess.
Her gaze flickered to him "Was it Sasuke's fan-girls, did they threaten you Sakura-san" Itachi was the next to try his hand and hit the mark right on target as the girl visibly flinched and even Sasuke looked horrified because he clearly hadn't thought of that.
"Ami said that if I so much as even looked at Sasuke, she would get all her friends together, some of whom are even genin to beat me up and leave me for dead" the pinkette quoted, twisting her hands in her green dress nervously.
Sasuke gaped at that "That's a load of crap, they can't tell you, who you can and can't be friends with that includes me I decide not them and if they ever try to hurt you, Ni-san will protect you" the little five year old boy turned his head to the side cheeks tinted pink.
Itachi shook his head in light amusement "Regardless of that Sakura-san, Otouto's right, this Ami can't tell you what you can and can't do with your life" the Uchiha heir elaborated further genuinely sympathetic of the girl's plight and her horrible luck with bullies it seemed.
What Shisui had told him about her thinking her hair was ugly had struck a cord in him "Yeah that's right Sakura-chan, we'll run damage control later" the teenager winked and the small girl giggled before she turned to face Sasuke, looking him in the eyes finally.
Differences settled the two kids played tag for a little bit, wearing themselves out until they decided to take a break, Sakura sat next to Itachi who gave her a pad with some coloring pencils to doodle, and Sasuke asked a bunch of questions of Shisui before they played Go together all four of them.
Before Mikoto called them in for lunch and she was pleased to note that whatever had been bothering Sakura earlier was no longer plaguing the young girl "Are you having fun Sakura-chan" the Uchiha Matriarch inquired softly, as she placed a plate of food in front of her.
Then took her place at the table so they could give their thanks for the meal, digging in afterwards "Lots of fun Mikoto-san" Sakura burst out unable to contain her happiness earning a few smiles, even a somewhat reluctant one from Sasuke.
She was pleased to hear that to "Enough that you'll come back to play again" Sasuke prodded avoiding looking to his mother, who gave herself an inward pat on the back, she'd known Sakura would be a good friend for her youngest son and now she was sure of it.
As Sakura nodded her head eagerly "Good because when he gets sulky it's no fun picking on him and all he does is scowl" Shisui snorted, laughing outwardly when Sasuke did just that and scowled quite fiercely despite his young age.
"I see you invited the civilian girl over for lunch" just then a new person entered the kitchen and Mikoto gracefully stood, bustling around the kitchen to make up a plate for her husband as Sakura could guess, both Itachi and Sasuke had some of his features.
"Of course Fugaku, Sakura-chan is quite polite" Mikoto said in a firm tone, not wanting her husband to just call the poor girl the civilian girl the entire time he was home for however long he would be home anyway, dealing with the Elders took time and effort after all.
His brow twitched a little at the warning "Sakura-san then, how do you find the compound up to your expectations" Fugaku prodded a little to harshly but the girl had a backbone it seemed when she straightened in her seat, pausing all efforts of eating to face him properly to speak.
Then opened her mouth and delivered an impressive answer "To be honest I never really had any expectations, cause I never thought I'd be invited it so hadn't thought about it, but it's nice, if not a little isolated away from everyone else" the pinkette said adding that last bit as an afterthought.
The Uchiha didn't deserve this and she hated the thought that they were being unfairly punished just because of a stupid rumor, well they had her explicate trust always and forever no matter what anyone else said about them, she'd make them see the Uchiha weren't the ones at fault.
Fugaku shot a dubious look at his wife who shrugged, giving the small girl an adoring smile "How about that, when you enter the academy I'm sure your going to be really smart Sakura-chan" Shisui quipped slightly amused at her remarks.
Never could she know they felt the injustice being handed out to them by the civilians they protected and the village they lived in and if things didn't change, things were sure to go to hell in a hand basket on them, Sakura blushed lightly but didn't let the praise go to her head.
And she was even managing not to blurt out the correction she wanted to make to Fugaku that she was no simple civilian girl, that she may even be related to the First Hokage, but she had no proof yet and to do so would be disastrous probably.
"Indeed Sakura-san, being so insightful at your age, you'll be quite the genin when you graduate" Itachi nodded seriously, Sakura flashed him a small smile, but again didn't let their proclamations go to her head any, she wouldn't be like the other girls who only focused on their looks.
For all she was a child, she seemed rather sensitive to things going on around her "May I go over to Sakura's for the rest of the day please Mother, Father, it's only fair since she knows what my house looks like" the second Uchiha heir piped in suddenly.
Pouting in the only way a five year old knew how to "Shisui and Itachi will go with you, just make sure you behave yourself for Mebuki-san, she seemed to have a lot on her mind" the Uchiha Matriarch relented and gave a warning.
Her youngest gave an eager nod and sat back in his chair to finish the rest of lunch, while Sakura on her part lowered her gaze again, seemed she knew what was on her mother's mind "What troubles could a civilian merchant have besides no business" the Uchiha Patriarch scoffed.
Sakura felt heat sear through her veins of anger unbridled despite not knowing for sure if they were actually members of the Senju clan yet, she wouldn't tolerate anyone putting her mother or her parents merchant business down like that.
And just as she went to open her mouth and snap, Sakura remembered that promise and quickly put out the flames of her anger, that wasn't to say no one noticed the sudden flaring of her temper or the flash of anger in her eyes "Just a few things Sir" the rosette answered all polite and proper.
Showing commendable effort in reigning in her temper "Could it have anything to do with the reason Kakashi Hatake told you that if Danzo Shimura knocked on your door to go straight to the Hokage" the dark haired teenager she'd first met asked hitting the proverbial nail on the head.
Fugaku's expression darkened instantly, KI leaking from him, Sakura's expression turned to one of fear and the poor girl promptly passed out "Oh dear Father you scared her" his oldest son informed and he felt like an idiot subjecting a child even accidentally to KI was not a wise idea.
"Well it's better than what she did on me, shrieked and hid in a bush, peeking warily at me, I swear something's going on and we don't have a bloody clue about what it is" Shisui groaned, dropping his head audibly on the table with a loud clink of dishes and a small cracking sound.
Maybe he'd done that a little to hard, a quick check made sure the table wasn't broken "Still its strange why would Danzo be after a civilian child" Fugaku frowned, trying to piece together the sudden puzzle presented to him while they waited for the girl to wake up.
When she did his wife gently asked Sakura "Can't say at least not yet, it's not that I don't trust you, just I'm not really supposed to say" Sakura fidgeted uncomfortably definitely hiding something not for lack of trying though if Shisui hadn't said anything they'd be none the wiser.
"How about when its safe to tell us will you then Sakura-chan, if you can" Mikoto asked softly, looking the girl over worriedly, that was some fainting spell as Sakura was still a little pale, her gaze darted back and forth fearfully not at them just around it was definitely odd.
Something had made an impression on the precocious pinkette and if she had to go straight to the Hokage to find out she would to "Are you okay Sakura" Sasuke prodded tactlessly but with concern in his gaze, she'd fainted and it had scared him a little.
Thankfully Sakura nodded her head quietly presence diminishing in the face of their worried stares "Right if you want to spend some time at Sakura-san's we best be on our way" Itachi announced getting things back on track and Sakura perked up again.
So away to the Haruno House they went all four of them "Goodness seems like you made some friends finally huh Sakura-chan" Mebuki was happy for her only child to make not just one friend but three even if two of them were older was a relief to her heart.
"Just go on and play in the backyard, I have some things to finish up in the kitchen" the blonde woman shooed them all off to play some more now that the two young ones had regained their expended energy from earlier enough to run about chasing each other to their hearts content.
And dinner was an absolute blast "Oh did my sweet little blossom snag her a boyfriend, hmm a little girly but I suppose he'll do" Kizashi's jokes were stupid and tactless, some of them upsetting Sasuke, while the rest were taken well.
It was as the three Uchiha were preparing to leave that a knock came on the door "Let me just ah got it" the dull pink haired male extricated himself from his daughter, who was perched in his lap reading over some of the profits they'd made from their merchant business.
Stood, then went to answer the door, when he came back it was with two men, two very familiar men to Itachi and Shisui at least "Didn't realize you had guests" Kakashi glanced to his partner in anbu signaling not to say anything just yet not until the guests left.
"Yes we were just leaving, come Itachi-chan, Sasuke-chan, otherwise Mikoto-sama will have our heads if we stay any later than we already have" the older Uchiha clapped his hands shepherding the other two down the hall, Sakura followed after them.
So that she could bid them farewell "Don't think this was a one time thing Sakura, if I'm not busy tomorrow with training then I'm definitely coming back over" the second Uchiha heir announced stubbornly at his brother who chuckled under his breath.
Her expression said it all "Then I'll have to come back over to yours sometime" the fuscia haired five year old stated with a light giggle, not to annoying and Sasuke could appreciate her for that, so long as she never gained a crush on him like every other girl had so far.
"We'll see you Sakura-chan" the Uchiha heir chuckled, patting the small girl on the head lightly, planting a listening device in her hair subtly as he did so, he wasn't chunin for nothing, if this helped them learned what was going on with the girl so be it.
Then the door was shut and Sakura returned to the living room "Say goodbye to your friends did you" the blonde that was her mother smiled just happy that her daughter was happy despite the strange occurrences that had been happening lately.
Sakura nodded intently unknowingly slinging the listening device from her head and as Kakashi stepped forward it crunched under his foot, while she climbed back into her fathers lap, half a block away Itachi cursed under his breath as his plan to listen in was foiled somehow.
He wasn't sure if it was incidental or completely by accident but it frustrated him nonetheless "Now are you three ready to hear what we learned and found" Tenzo promptly sat down with Kakashi on the couch opposite the family of three.
All of whom nodded their heads even Sakura which was adorable "Good because the DNA test results came back positive just as we'd discerned you are Tsunade Senju's daughter Mebuki-san, and related to Lord First, likewise so is Sakura-chan" the silver haired teenager informed.
Knowing what this sort of news or proof could do to a person, thankfully Mebuki seemed to accept it with grace "Here's the proof if you need physical evidence, as for your other questions, Lord First left something to all his descendants whoever they may be" the brunet explained.
Producing two sealing crystals from his pouch "You may claim yourselves members of the Senju clan with these, though I had an interesting idea so you won't be getting yours just yet Sakura-chan" Kakashi admitted still drawing the designs in his head so to speak.
The little girl deflated "Only if I can tell Mr. And Mrs. Uchiha the truth, they were nice to me and I think it's unfair that people are treating the Uchiha the way they are for rumors no less" Sakura said bluntly, so bluntly that it shocked her father into laughing.
"Such a shrewd little girl aren't you my little blossom" Kizashi let out deep bellied laughter, honestly he didn't know where she got her shrewd personality from, perhaps her grandmother that was certainly a possibility as well.
Even Kakashi was amused "At your discretion of course Sakura-san and only if you think you can trust the Uchiha's explicitly, the idea Kakashi-senpai has about the crystal, he wants to turn it into a bracelet that will wrap around her ankle with a binding seal on it" Tenzo explained.
Immediately the blonde woman turned sharply "Binding seal….how exactly will it work" Mebuki asked in a near hysterical tone of voice before calming down rapidly seeing the shake of the head, indicating it wasn't as bad as she thought it was.
"The binding seal will make it so it can't be taken off only by a sealing jutsu master so until Sakura-chan is able to protect herself it can't be removed, and a tongue-tied jutsu will be infused into the seal to prevent any slip-ups pertaining her kekkeigenkai" the silver haired teenager said.
Explaining so thoroughly that it relieved both adults opposite them "Good and you can't know how proud of you I am Sakura-chan that you didn't tell the Uchiha, even when they asked you I'm sure" the dull pinked haired male peered at his daughter perched in his lap.
Sakura looked up at him with bright eyes "I trust the Uchiha's how people are treating them is wrong and they only asked me once, asked that when it was safe to be told if I could" the pinkette admitted softly with all the innocence and naivety of a child.
Though the two shinobi felt the same way she did which was oddly comforting "When you tell them make sure to ask Fugaku to activate privacy seals and bring evidence, also here's the training schedule and the sealing crystal meant for you" the brunet announced.
Handing over everything he'd brought "A couple days from now after lunch, we'll be sure to make sure she's dressed appropriately for training Tenzo-san, thank you for everything you've done so far" the blonde woman sniffled a little overwhelmed all of a sudden.
And just like that both husband and daughter moved to comfort her Sakura shifting into her mother's lap to wrap her arms around her neck, while Kizashi enveloped both of them in a bear hug murmuring encouraging and loving things to his girls.
With everything that had been happening to this small family it was a momentous and heart-warming moment to see the three of them come together as a whole still as strong as they'd been so far, Kakashi and Tenzo shared a look and bowed out quietly leaving them alone.
