Something I wanted to say for some reason I want Tsunade to be a supportive parental figure for Sasuke (as much as she is for Naruto). Sasuke needed a mother he, and was let down by the village, as much as Naruto was, in his own way. Their system for dealing with orphaned children sucks considering the nature of their economic system was based on such a dangerous line of work. I am surprised there were not more orphans running around in Konoha's streets.

Zombie Love

Chapter 11: Uchiha Troubles

Tsunade felt a soft pang in her gruff heart as she looked in on the sleeping Uchiha. He and Naruto were so alike that she could not help but feel protective of the young avenger. He was an adult in body but such a lost child. Her little brat Naruto was still as much a child. The lady was strong in will and physically, but her heart melted for the lost children of the village. Konoha's system for caring for orphaned boys and girls was very flawed. If you had no relatives you were a ward of the village. If you were not wanted by anyone you (as a child) were expected to care for yourself. Sure the village gave them stipends if they didn't have their own money, but she knew from her records. Naruto had been handed off so many times before he was out of diapers that he was given an apartment at the age of four. Sasuke had a foster family but he was unruly and ran away. It was found out that the family was stealing his inheritance bit by bit. Fortunately it was put to a stop, but the Uchiha Heir refused to be with another family. He had had a family until he was nine, and the foster family 'kept him for almost a year. After that he moved back to the Uchiha estate. That must have been hard on such a young boy.

This village was cruel in so many ways. It was a hard life. It is a hard life. Being a shinobi can be lonely. It is most definitely dangerous. More so now then ever.

Tsunade sent a pulse of green chakra into the teen's body and shook her head. Sasuke was right Orochimaru missed his opportunity with Sasuke. If his little med-stooge were worth his salt he would know that Sasuke was loosing his sight. His chakra points were damaged and if he did not get a surgery soon his ability to use his chakra might be permanently blocked. The last Uchiha may have been aware of this but Tsunade doubted it, or he might be reserving his chakra to rest his channels. She would have to see about it with Sakura, and Hinata's help. Hinata's eyes would be invaluable. Sakura's chakra control vital (as long as her personal feelings did not get in the way)

She sent healing Chakra into his body then left him to rest with a fuzzy lump laying protectively on his chest. Kaede cracked an eye open and yawned. She stretched and snuggled back into Sasuke's warm chest.

Tsunade rubbed her temples. Her little family was growing and a migraine came along with the newest additions. It was almost dawn when she finally laid her weary head down…

…Konohamaru and Naruto were walking on egg shells around each other. The younger was feeling incredibly angry at the Uchiha. Naruto was angry with both Sasuke and Ko. Naruto slept for two hours after they got home then he was up and showered and gone from the house by nine in the morning. He headed to a person whom he could ask advice and not worry about being judged or worried over or accused of being sans male reproductive organs…

…The man was smiling. It could be seen in his one visible eye but the rest of his face was hidden. His silver hair defied gravity as he trained against a look alike. He had sensed him coming just as he had sensed him early that morning…

…Naruto entered the battle field announcing his presence, "Hey Kakashi-sensei!"

Kakashi dispelled his clone and turned to face his former student, "Well if is isn't my most surprising former pupil.": Kakashi smirked under his mask. "What brings you here?"

Naruto rolled his eyes, "As if you don't already know he's back."

"My, my aren't we temperamental, do you need to go borrow some tampons from Sakura little Naru?' Well for get not being ridiculed.

"The plague. It came from a scroll. Orochimaru ordered Sasuke to open it within fire country's borders. That is why people are dieing," Naruto spoke in a harsh whisper. This sobered the Jonin up quite a bit. Kakashi Grabbed Naruto by the shoulders and looked him over.

He frowned as he saw the pain Naruto could nit quite mask, "You were with Sasuke last night. I know I felt it. What did he do to you?" The was an edge in the older man's voice that Naruto could barely recognize as protectiveness. "Did he hurt you again?" Both Naruto and Kakashi knew that Sasuke may not be able to hurt him physically again but that was not the kind of hurt Kakashi was referring to.

"No, only knowing he did something so vile. Even though he didn't know what he was doing. He had to know what ever he released from that scroll might hurt innocent people. Now there are people dying everywhere, and Sasuke told us about something worse that is headed this way. Can you feel it? East of here it is barely noticeable but it's so dark and hungry. Kakashi-sensei…I'm terrified of what it is. Sasuke said there were corpses being manipulated by chakra, but no puppeteer controlling them. How is that possible?"

"Perhaps a very powerful puppeteer that can conduct his, or her, chakra from a great distance. I have never heard of chakra strings traveling more then a couple miles from the puppet master, but I imagine it is possible." Naruto nodded. He felt only slightly better but it was enough to help. He smiled, "Thank you for listening to me Sensei. It's hard…you know seeing him. I still care about him. It hurts so much."

"It will be fine Naruto," Kakashi patted his back in an unusual gesture of compassion. He wasn't one for hugging, but Naruto smiled. The gesture meant the world to him. He felt his burden lifting a little.

"Well, Now something else, We need to go see Hokage-sama this afternoon. We have to go find Pervy Sage. So he can see the scroll…

…Sasuke was copying the scroll and trying to ignore the terrible pain behind his eyes. Kaede slept in the chair next to his in the corner of the Hokage's office. She had had furniture brought in so the Uchiha could work while still being observed by her. Kaede was purring loudly.

He managed to recreate the scroll perfectly from memory in his elegant script he had made notations at the margin of the scroll and he handed it over to the cranky lady Hokage. She compared the two and nodded approval it looked identical apart from the copy being etched on pristine new white parchment and the original on well worn browning animal skin. The scroll seemed to be incredibly old, but had held up well. Tsunade wasn't an expert on historical facts but based on the language and terminology she would guess it was at least one hundred years old. She believed it was actually one hundred and thirty-nine years old because there was a terrible plague in rice country that spread out quickly killing over one hundred thousand people . It ended suddenly six months after it started and there were no relapses into the plague. The bodies of the dead were burned, or buried, and the sickness was forgotten except in a few medical tomes and rare history scrolls that survived from that time.

"Thank-you Sasuke," She looked down at him seeing the withering pain on his face she frowned, "Tell me have you noticed anything strange about your chakra? Or your eyes?"

"I don't have the plague," Sasuke protested. He blinked as his vision began to blur.

"I wasn't saying you were," She grumbled at him, "Do your eyes hurt." She made the demand of him he almost winced at her louts command. He nodded. Tsunade sent chakra into her hands and placed the soothing green light on the boy's temples. He immediately felt better. His sight cleared up. "Uchiha we need to talk about your health."

"Hn?" Sasuke grunted questioningly.

"You are aware that you are going blind?" Tsunade just threw it out there for him. His mouth set in a grim line and he gave one curt nod to affirm her suspicion.

"Were you aware that your chakra points are shutting down. If you don't get the proper treatment soon you will no longer have access to your chakra." Sasuke's eyes widened ever so slightly. He didn't shake his head or give any indication that he had heard her except to star at her.

"We can give you the proper treatment but you will not be able to use your chakra for at least three months of you are going to corrupt your chakra channels to the point of no return." Sasuke stood slowly. He was upset of course, but Tsunade didn't expect him to round on her. He did, but he didn't attack. He only asked, "When can we do it?"

"Tomorrow if I can get my two best students to help," Sasuke nodded and walked away from her and to the window. He frowned. It was only his cruel upbringing that had prevented him from shedding tears at that moment. He felt something brush his leg and he reached down instinctually and picked up the cat. She pawed at his face gently and meowed at him, almost is if she were saying, "Don't you worry Sasuke I'm here for you."