Title: Life is Never that Simple
Chapter: As simple as babysitting, part 3
Author:meannaneko
Characters/Pairing:none
Type: Continuous (InComplete)
Genre: General/ficlets life
Word Count: 4469
Rating:T (just to be safe for language mostly)
Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Kishimoto-san.
Summary:What if one simple change, changes the fate of an entire village. But in the end life is never that simple, hopefully, at least for the Uchiha clan through this change, they may survive long enough to live it. This is arc one, the early years. This is an AU story, pre-massacre, ages defined below.
Author's note:
Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto 8 years old
Itachi- 13 years old
Shisui- 15 years old
Hana Inuzuka- 16 years old
On with the Show!
Upon finding themselves outside the Uchiha main house, all three children threw up. The first time traveling by transportation jutsu will do that. Since the dizzying sensation, along with the feeling of being sucked through a drain combined with the information overload of being somewhere new in an instant, can be disconcerting. Of course it did not help they were already distressed by what was happening.
After getting cleaned up and consoled by their parents, even Fugaku had laid a comforting hand on Sasuke adding a patented, "you've done well, my son." Mikoto and Kushina tried rocking Sakura and Naruto to sleep, as Sasuke leaned into his mother. Problem was, all three children had been trying desperately to forget that Naruto and Sakura were targets. Just wanting the normal childhood, like they see their friends have, but this was not the case. It was only a few days ago they learned that Sasuke, as well, could be targeted for kidnapping. They had to be told, unfortunately, for this evening's plan to be successful.
Now it was real, there are men in the world who want to take them from their home, their family, their friends. None knew what it was the bad men wanted, just wanted them. A knock at the door, brought Kana to take Sakura home. The two left, swiftly, the ANBU in tow.
Naruto and Kushina ended up staying at the Uchiha house that night, upon the request of Minato. The man knew he would be out all night, working on a plan to catch the council and Danzo. He knew the Uchiha household was full of traps and security features, just like theirs, but he did not want his wife and son to be alone.
When the group got back to the Haruno house, Kana left Sakura with the ANBU since she got word that several members of the clan were now hiding, again. The frightened little girl just stood there, large emerald orbs looking at the picture of her family when she felt herself lifted up. She did not need to look to know who it was, the boy who took her to the couch and let her sit on his lap. "Thanks Ita-kun." She whispered as she leaned into the boy, the tear fell and sleep soon captured her.
The blaring sound of a triggered alarm seal woke the raven haired teen, the girl still in his arms. Someone came in, he heard a commotion coming from Sakura's room. He took the girl to their designated hide spot. Itachi had her that was the important part. Itachi heard the yelp of Inumaru and a thump he assumed it to be Hana. Next the sound of Shisui's scream, "bastard," assaulted his ears. Itachi looked down to see emerald open, "bad man," Sakura whispered. Itachi knew he had to get her out of there, pulling on his mask he deftly ran with Sakura in his arms. Her torso against his, as if a backpack turned the wrong way. "How did you?" "Mom taught me to do this." She answered calmly. He caught a glimmer of purple and blue as he sped to his family home, the only other safe spot for her.
"But Shi-kun, Hana-chan?" Sakura's voice revealed her true level of terror for her friends.
"We will handle this, Sakura." Itachi said firmly. He was almost there, rounding the lane. He had passed the lake when a masked figure stepped in front of the rodent masked ANBU. Itachi leapt over the man, who gave chase. The masked ones voice came to him.
"You do not have enough power to defeat me," Itachi did not react, just held her closer. But a flash later, and the girl was torn from his arms. Sakura's scream was a wail of pure fright and fury that bounded off the walls and buildings, just like her giggle. Lights flickered on throughout the Uchiha compound at the sound.
The masked man covered her mouth only to receive a backwards kick that nearly toppled him over. "Damn it, you little bitch, that's the second time." Emerald orbs started to dance. A feral snarl took over her delicate features and both legs of the small girl were pumping backwards, heels meeting soft squishy tissue. Finally, the man almost to the ground, Sakura had enough room to spin out of his grasp. Without conscious thought, her fist was glowing full of chakra, a snarl of pure sadistic viciousness. Sakura punched his face, "take that asshole!"
She back flipped out of his grasp, as he flew back ten feet. "How the fuck, do you know how to do that?" Shisui scooped her up he saw her orbs were dancing as Sakura tried to get back and beat up the man, "let me at the asshole, let me at him…I can take that bastard, let me at him." The teen muttered the phrase he was taught, the girl stiffened and returned to her normal demeanor and language.
"Maybe it is not about power." Itachi added, smoothly, clearly before running after the two. He had watched the complete change in the small girl, so reflective of what he witnessed with Kana.
Running again, the man got up to follow to be face to face with Fugaku, Minato and Kana. "I see…another day." The man flickered out again. "He went to our house first." Minato said firmly. Fugaku added, "and ours…he really hates my wife's silk web traps."
"The medics are attending the female ANBU as we speak he used a high level genjutsu on her." Kana reported. "An interesting fact…Fugaku, Danzo has Uchiha chakra markers." Both men gasped at this.
"That would be why he has…such influence and knowledge, I would suppose." The brunette said honestly. "What of the other one?" Fugaku asked; Minato shook his head.
"Jiraiya-sama chased Orochimaru out of the village for me it was just a scouting expedition, I guess." The blonde man said with a snarl. "We need to find a way to end this." The blonde man looked to the clan head. A voice distinctively like the pompous bastard rang through Fugaku's head, "you make a deal with the devil, it will always cost a life."
Once at the main house, Sakura was comforted again by Mikoto. She was told how the man had tried all three houses that night, a bargaining chip for what he really wants. Shisui and Itachi did not react, but understood this was a possibility. The silver haired ANBU taichou came to the house, he did knock. This was rare for an ANBU, but Kakashi had been warned that if he flickered into the house he would be caught in a trap. All visitors to the head of the Uchiha clan's home must come in through the front door.
"He is gone for now…I have sent some of my summons to track him. They last caught whiff of him going towards Valley end." The man said to the room. He told of Hana's condition also that Inumaru is doing fine, as well, when Sakura asked about the dog.
"See Saku-chan, you will be safe, OK," Mikoto tried to allay. But emerald went up to the rodent and hawk masked boys, she did not need to say it, but it was there. 'But they aren't.' Itachi came to his mother and Sakura quickly went to him, without a word and was asleep within a minute.
Once asleep, Itachi spoke. "I think the seal may have…" Shisui nodded. Mikoto went over to the girl, placing a hand on her forehead and a small glow came over the spot.
"No, still sealed," she smiled kindly.
"Mikoto-san…she has a lot of power?" Shisui asked, Mikoto looked to the girl.
"She is the same as Kana-sama in this." All gasped at the words, "But it comes with a hefty price if released before she is ready, one her parents don't want her to pay…her sanity…and possibly her life." the woman said words of wisdom.
"Why is that?" Kakashi finally asked.
"For Sakura no Tenshi Haruno," Mikoto repeated the phrase, the true meaning of the intense seal, but in itself was a riddle.
A slight grunt came from Shisui. The woman shook her head, just kept her dark gaze on her son holding the girl. "How could he get her to sleep like that?" indicating how the raven haired teen, along with Shisui could get her to sleep.
"Another outcome of being mediators and babysitter's most of their lives…the little ones feel safe and trust them." Mikoto laughed out a beaming smile of pride at her son, the two boys nodded.
Shisui just ran his hand over her hair, "a little sister?" Kakashi asked, the hawk masked one nodded. Even if he had witnessed this behavior from both Shisui and Hana in their relationship with Sakura, it was a surprise. Thankfully it had honestly made this mission rather easy before this night.
"Hawk-san can even get and keep Naruto-kun asleep." Mikoto added, the brown haired boy just chuckled.
"Ah, a little brother as well," all three let out gasped smiles.
Itachi just sat holding the girl as if it was the most natural way of being. It was so odd for the boy's reputation was that of a cold, calculating, brilliant, arrogant shinobi. But Kakashi had seen a new side to the boy, his teammate that within his life were relationships, friendships. There was an odd mix of children who honestly care about each other. Sakura ended up being put in bed with Naruto and Sasuke, who instinctively rolled towards her. She was even glomped in her sleep. A click, with no flash came from Shisui, 'more blackmail.'
-000-
Sakura found herself in a void of nothingness, a very loud. "Sharrano!" came from a figure, as the scene of the fight replayed but instead of the pink haired girl. It was another figure who was kicking mercilessly the masked man. "Take that asshole, and that," the figure whipped around punching the man.
Sakura walked towards the figure, it looked like her but it was black, outlined in white. The word Inner Sakura blazed on her forehead, orbs dancing madly irises pitch black with a ring of white for orbs. "Who…are you?" the figure smirked, pointing to it's forehead.
"Can't you read?"
"Oh…your, are you the one that yells in my head," the pink haired girl asked, head quirked.
"The one you ignore, yeah, that's me!" the negative mirrored one gave with a sneer. "The one you stuff all your negative thoughts and emotions into…uh-huh!" the image started poking at the pink haired girl.
"You are not real," Sakura said, shaking her head.
"Try again babe, I am you…part of you, just sealed." The last part made the small girls orbs go wide.
"L-l-like, Kana?" Sakura gulped. A low chuckle, a brow hitch was the answer.
"Yepper's kid…"
"Grandma's stuff…doesn't attack me…it attacks, you!" Sakura accused. The other figure sighed.
"Yeah…that shit," inner spoke.
"We are not allowed to use curse words," Sakura reprimanded, inner snorted.
"I give a shit about their fucking rules." the little girl just gulped. "Now that you met me, used me…get the hell out!" the abrasive one punched the pinkette in the forehead. This jolted the girl awake, ripping herself from the embrace of Sasuke and Naruto in the process. Emerald blinked slowly.
"Just a dream, it was just a dream." Sakura repeated to herself.
'NOPE! Still here…have you noticed how cute Naru-chan and Sasu-kun are?' Sakura heard in the tone of inner, 'damn.' She thought to herself.
-000-
It had been a week since the incident, Naruto was back to himself. But he would grumble about always having someone watching him. Even if he was told time and time again it was for his safety, he did not like it. It made it harder to pull pranks.
Sasuke as well, was disgruntled that he had a guard with him. Mostly because he wanted it to be his brother, but his brother was assigned to watch Sakura. He wondered why her family had not returned yet, but was met with silence when the question was posed. What was even weirder was the big blue fish faced guy was now constantly around Sasuke and Sasuke's house. This brought some concerned stares and questions from other families. Even a loud argument between his father and a couple of the clan elder's, but it did not change the fact the shark man was there. Actually, Sasuke had started taking walks with the large man, it kept his fangirls away.
Sakura was use to her guards by now, but this day was different. She felt like a prisoner almost, other than going to the academy and library to study. It has been a week since she has trained. It's been a week since she played with Ino a week since she has seen Naruto or Sasuke. She was even missing Sasuke of all people, 'Well he is great eye candy, not as cute as Itachi…but still.' Inner added, Sakura could almost feel the drool escape the lips of inner. 'Will you shut up,' the girl said to her now constantly yapping inner ego, telling Sakura all her thoughts on everything and everybody. She never heard the whisper from Shisui to Hana and Itachi. But ten minutes later, Itachi returned dressed in normal clothes, a shirt and shorts.
"Let's go find my little brother." He said with a slight smile. The girl's dull jade orbs brightened immediately. The two left, the girl skipping merrily, happy to be out of the house. The group found the boy and blue man at the park, his grumbling ceased immediately, as onyx sparkled briefly.
"Akini, Saku-chan!" Sasuke came up to them. Itachi did not show his relief, but felt it deeply. The large powerful mist-nin was the one watching his little brother. He knew security for all three children had been stepped up, but to see the man follow the boy brought a slight glow to his depthless onyx orbs.
"How about ice cream, then we can train otouto." Itachi said looking between the two, both beamed his smiles of pure joy. Even if Sasuke had to share his brother's time and attention with Sakura, it was still time Sasuke so desperately wished for. The blue man gave the raven a smirk this was met with a small nod. The beady orbs of the man took in the ANBU behind them.
Pink and ebony bounded down the street to the ice cream vendor, only to crash into a running Naruto who had escaped his guards. "Ah man, I was hoping to get this on the old man's face…before." he started. He held up permanent markers, until he saw Itachi and Kisame coming behind his two friends. The blonde hid them behind his back, his hand behind his back giving his best foxy grin. Two chunin were now running yelling his name, Naruto went to bound away only to be caught by one arm of Itachi. Onyx met blue, a single eyebrow lift and the blonde grunted.
"You have a way with kids…especially hyper boy." The blue man chuckled out.
"Hn."
"Your welcome," Kisame said, Itachi blinked then turned to him, "Uchiha language I have been picking it up around your family's place, it's pretty easy actually."
"Aa," was the mere retort. The raven handed Naruto over to his guards, as the boy kicked and yelped about being bored out of his mind. He wanted to play with "my saku-chan."
"She's not yours, Dobe! She's mine."
"I am not your doll, Sasu-chan," The pinkette smacked the dark boy who growled back at her, this time tackling her. Itachi even pulled back, this was new.
The two wrestled in the middle of the street, like Naruto and Sasuke would do. A group of girls surrounded them, extolling the virtues of Sasuke-kun. That Sasuke-kun will beat the pink haired freak's ass. This fueled the rage of the pink haired girl. Kisame leaned over, after glaring at some whom were surrounding Itachi, "I see you got the same problem as that one," indicating Sasuke.
"Had," Itachi said his monosyllabic cryptic answer.
"You two are too pretty for males," Itachi turned the large man and blinked, a hint of a glare the other just shrugged.
Soon most, including Sasuke found something out, as he got pinned by a girl. The fan girls all whispering, whether it was plans for revenge, defending the honor of their Sasuke-kun or promises to beat up the Pink haired freak. Either way, the smaller raven haired boy lost this round. Kisame was laughing at the scene, as Itachi chuckled. "It's not funny Akini," the blushing boy said, "she is really strong."
"I know otouto." Itachi said firmly. Not that he has been pinned by the girl, but has gotten hit once or twice, accidentally as she was aiming for, Sasuke, Naruto or Shisui.
"Yeah, Pinky for a little squirt…you pack a punch." The girl smiled, getting up and brushing herself off. At this point one of the fan girls came up, it was Ami.
"You apologize to Sasuke-kun, billboard brow." Sakura simple said, "no." the brown haired girl swung, only to be met with Sakura's fist and sending the girl flying back 15 feet.
"I am like my mom…dad says she hits like hammer." Sakura stuck out her tongue at the now retreating fan girls. Itachi nodded his agreement, as did Sasuke.
"Our dad said the same thing," Sasuke admitted. The kids had cleaned themselves up, and proceeded to the ice cream shop, and the four enjoyed the sweets. Sasuke was a little upset he could not pay for Sakura's ice cream, this earned him a poke from his older brother. Once to the training grounds, Itachi had the two climb up trees using chakra. Then aim for targets from the tree. Sakura was thrilled she got to use weapons.
"You can't hit a target if it was right in front of you…" Sasuke picked, only to have his feet taken out from under him by a chakra string. He fell on his butt onto a branch.
"Why must you be such an arrogant ass?" Sakura yelled to the boy. Kisame and Itachi just watched the scene.
"Why must you be so annoying?" Sasuke yelled back. Kisame asked, truly curious.
"Have those two always fought like this?" Itachi just nodded.
"Since they were one…"
"He would prefer her be a meek little doll, or something."
"Aa," Kisame chortled at the thought.
"Nah, Pinky is too spunky for that…" Itachi just blinked his agreement with a slight smirk. Kisame looked to the teen seriously for a second, a small smirk played across his features. Itachi turned and blinked. "You know your brother…can be a total brat." Itachi chuckled slightly, with a wry eyebrow lift, "for some reason I have the urge to call you a crafty ass bastard." The blue man said, Itachi blinked again, a small smirk adorning his lips.
"The dancing orbs…what is it?" Itachi asked, with a hitch Kisame just shook his head.
"It has to do with the Haruno clan itself, how they have such control." The blue man said. Itachi indicated Sakura.
"The other night…" Kisame smirked at the words. "Why are there sanity issues, Kisame-san?" Kisame chuckled deeply, and shrugged.
"The why, unsure…what I have seen, the consequences of the release of it," the man said firmly, a resounding unspoken warning.
"Is it a Kekkai Genkai?" Itachi asked, the blue man squinted and twitched his gills.
"No and yes…it is more a bloodline trait, versus a limit. The control itself is innate in all Haruno to a varying degree. But for the civilians if they do not have access to chakra…it's kind of useless." Itachi's orbs widened slightly at the thought. "The clan is very secretive about the whole thing actually. So are those in Star…but I believe the seal, and the sanity issues are tied to their potential level of access to the trait…have you seen Kana-sama…space off?" Itachi gave curt nod. "She calls it an internal dialog." Itachi blinked slowly, he has seen the girl spacing off more and more lately.
"A will of its own," Itachi asked incredulously, Kisame gave a light look of 'not quite' with a shrug.
"Just that if Kana-sama loses it, I need my Samaheada to drain her," He indicated the chakra sucking, scaled and wrapped sword. "I have done it twice…once the trait is reigned in, she is in control. The seal on Pinky is even stronger than Kana's actually…because of both her parents, and what they gave her." Itachi's brow furrowed for a second, then popped open wide.
A wail pierced the forest, the two came to find Sakura leaning over Sasuke, his large black orbs rimmed with tears that he refused to let fall.
"Let me see it." Sakura said kindly.
"Akini," Itachi looked between them, "no I was trying to jump and hit target's…we were taking turns." Sakura nodded. Itachi bent down and surveyed the injury, Sasuke had twisted his ankle.
"Let's get you home, mom can take care of it." Sasuke just nodded and went to stand. Itachi exhaled, then smirked. He turned around, "get on." Itachi instructed, Sasuke complied happily, his legs know threaded through Itachi's elbows. The biggest smile was on his face.
Kisame turned to Sakura, "hey Pinky, let's get you back…k." the girl nodded he picked her up and hefted her on his shoulders. The pink haired little girl on the big blue haired man walked back to her house, while the two brother's walked slowly back to theirs.
For Itachi there was no rush, Shisui and Hana had taken the afternoon shift for him. He did not mind spending some quality time with Sasuke. They took the time to examine the trees, watch the birds, even looked at passing clouds. A normal ten minute walk turned into an hour. Itachi took the rest of the afternoon to spend, with his little brother the two talked, smiled even shared a chuckle, and eventually played Shoji. Itachi, of course won, but nonetheless he saw the true smile in his brother's orbs. Before he left to start his shift he even got a full hug from Sasuke, this warmed older boy's heart. "Thank You Akini."
"Your welcome Otouto," Itachi smiled a true smile to his little brother. "I must go, my shift starts soon." He was almost out the door when another set of arms stopped the raven haired teen, the arms of his mother.
"I love you, Ita-kun." She whispered out, "and I am very proud of you." Her onyx orbs twinkled bringing another, oh god, a blush to lightly dust his pale cheeks.
"Thank you, I love you, kaa-san." He muttered and turned, his ponytail whipping at the speed, and left to fulfill his duty. Emotions were always difficult for Itachi to express, since he was taught from a young age to hide them. But he knew, with his mother Itachi could be himself.
That night Fugaku asked his youngest son why he was so happy, he simply said with a beaming smile, "Akini spent the afternoon with me." A brief look of concern crossed the older male's expression. But Mikoto smiled it away, simply saying it was Itachi's afternoon off and chose to spend it with Sasuke. Fugaku proceeded to ask about what his sons did that day. Sasuke went into a full explanation of their activities, even showing some of the books Itachi recommended Sasuke read.
Sasuke repeated his Akini's words, that to be a good shinobi, one not only trains their body, but their mind as well. He was told to seek knowledge before a decision or action because, 'under the placid water's of the world are undercurrents that can drown you.' Sasuke repeated proudly. Fugaku hid blanch with hearing his rivals words drip now from his youngest son's mouth. Mikoto however had to smile to her husband brilliantly.
The good atmosphere soon crashed, as the elder's called an emergency meeting. Itachi could not attend, but Shisui did. It was discussed removing Fugaku completely from the position of clan head for not relinquishing to the request of the clan's forebearer. That by denying the man the concession, all within the clan could be and will be killed by the man.
"The bargain is my concern, since it was signed with my blood. I will deal with it and him. That is, if he comes to deal with me directly, man to man, versus trying to attack children." Fugaku spoke firmly evenly, hinting at the level of cowardice shown by Madara. He knew full well the spies within the clan will relay the information. He knew this was laying down the gauntlet, and the chances of him surviving such an encounter would be minimal. But this was the price he was willing to pay, to protect this family.
"If that's the case, we should choose your successor," One elder spoke.
"Already done," Shisui spoke up.
"He is but a child," the same elder man retorted.
"Itachi is no older than I when I had to start making decisions for this clan, correct?" Fugaku spoke arrogantly, "when you forced me to make this bargain in the first place. Had me chase my wife to Star to get her to return, before her training was complete." The hint of a glare in the deep onyx orbs of the brunette.
"But he already does not follow the will of the clan…" another echoed, with this half the room chuckled.
"Neither do I…" Mikoto stood, her shoulder's back her position firm. Next came Shisui, and down the line until most in the room repeated that phrase.
"The will of the clan is irrelevant, it is what is best for Konoha…whether it is through the police force, our shinobi force, our commerce or our friends." Fugaku stated firmly.
"But the council of elder's even agrees…" another tried to retort.
"The council is afraid and deluded. The Hokage has said no, to this, period." The brunette finished, he turned to walk away then with Sharnigan blazing focused on the first elder, "be sure to pass the message to Madara you traitorous fool."
With that the man climbed out of the meeting room and walked home. He never heard the round of applause from those remaining in the clan temple, it was irrelevant for there was only two things he wanted. He stepped inside his house, to see one of them. Sasuke was reading, he sat next to son, put a hand on shoulder. With full attention focused on Sasuke, Fugaku asked about the book.
Thoughts, Kudos and appreciation:
The monster, Madara, arrives, at least one of them the battle for the Uchiha clan commences, who will live, who will die and who picks up the pieces.
Unnatural chakra control is just that. Inner Sakura rears her snarling head, and promptly drools over the eye candy.
Pairings are undecided, and will remain so until the final arch I believe. Ino and Sakura will not have a war, probably some interesting battles though. Itachi and Shisui's friendship will continue, since angtsy/emo moments doth cometh and their interaction is fun to write.
Lastly, I listed this under Itachi and Sakura, because they were the focus at the time, not necessarily that the two will end up in a romantic relationship. It is about the growth of those two character's, along with Sasuke and Naruto. How this simple change of fate affects them all.
I hope this answers questions from my reviewers. A shout out to all who reviewed, thank you so very much! X.Forgotten.Angel.X, Jenn, WingsFallenAngel, blossomheartxoxo, jgkfkj, AngelsRequiem, TaintedImpurity, Tigerrelly.
Reviews feed my passion.
-Meanna.
