One year later…
The Uchiha's village grew bigger than the clan leader ever expected. With Konoha still enclosed within the strange mist, the clans that had been able to escape a year ago made the Uchiha's village their home. Despite opposing views from his own clan members, Fugaku (with Obito acting as support) welcomed the immigrants. With the other clan's help, the Uchiha's village was expanded to the point that other smaller villages nearby became part of it too.
With this growth, more homes were built. Other public services such as the clinic and school were also expanded. Children, once afraid of the Uchihas due to Danzo's brainwashing, became friends with the kids from the clan. Sasuke and Naruto were a prime example of such friendship. Kushina was glad for it. The first few months had been very difficult for her and Naruto when it came to dealing with Minato's death. Naruto would scream and try to run away, but one of the Uchihas (either Itachi or Shisui) would talk to him and bring him back. Neither Uchiha men minded keeping an eye out on the blond pre-teen. Kushina had her hands full with her newborn daughter.
Itachi and Shisui weren't the only Uchihas keeping an eye out on teenagers to ensure they didn't do something stupid. Obito had started helping Tenten with ninjutsu and taijutsu. He was impressed with how precise her aims were. Nonetheless, her taijutsu was messy and she struggled with self-defense. So he would spend a couple of hours a week training her as Rin watched them with a smile.
Rin helped expand the medical facilities throughout the last couple of months. In addition, she oversaught the creation of several greenhouses. Obito's injury a year ago was an eye opener to the Uchihas that their village was under-resourced with critical ailments. And trading with other villages wouldn't always be ideal.
The three Uchihas who previously attacked Rin purposely kept a distance, which only amused her. Obito hadn't told her what exactly he did to them; only that they learned their lesson and knew better than to even look at her. Rin was happy that the clan overall was finally more open to others. Her and Izumi became closer and the two would have dinner together once in a while.
And this was how Rin learned that the younger girl was dating Itachi.
"Is this what Konoha is supposed to be like?" Izumi had asked during one of their dinners, watching as several villagers (Uchihas and non-Uchihas) conversed and enjoyed life.
"I think so," Rin had replied.
The once small yet primarily-owned Uchiha village was now a diverse area. There were no ANBU members stalking and harassing citizens, no hokage demanding some type of tax from citizens or mandating women to have three children before a certain age.
Overall, the village became a haven for many who escaped Konoha. And Rin was glad for the peaceful environment, especially as she carried Obito's child.
The pregnancy was a shocker to everyone, especially since her and Obito weren't married. It was the first time a non-Uchiha carried an Uchiha offspring, and some gave Rin looks of curiosity as she walked around the village. Fugaku wanted them to get married as soon as possible, and the young couple agreed on the matrimony after Rin gave birth.
Tenten would accompany her during shopping trips. Rin purchased several dresses that accommodated her grown belly. As of yesterday, she was seven and a half months pregnant.
The Uchihas carried large amounts of chakra in their system, and that made Rin's pregnancy more uncomfortable. She got tired quicker compared to other pregnant women, even those carrying twins.
Obito had a new house constructed for their growing family. Tenten had her own room on one side of the structure, while Obito and Rin's room were on the other. Tenten had thanked Obito for the large distance between both rooms, considering she didn't want to hear their love-making in the middle of the night. And the Uchiha nearly choked on his tea while Rin held her laughter in.
A servant had finished cooking dinner just as Obito arrived home. The servant left, leaving the young couple alone to eat their food.
"Have you seen Tenten?" Rin asked.
"She's with Neji," Obito replied, raising his eyebrow at Rin's frown, "What's wrong?"
"I caught them kissing yesterday,"
Obito blinked at her, and Rin continued, "She's too young to be in a relationship. Also, Neji seems to be too aloof sometimes. I just don't want her getting her heart broken,"
"I'll send him to another dimension if he breaks her heart," Obito half-joked, and Rin laughed.
After dinner, they sat outside their home. Their backyard had a beautiful small garden, something Rin always wanted. They sat on a cushioned bench. Obito rubbed her pregnant belly caringly, feeling the chakra growing within the child. He was aware of the uncomfortness the pregnancy was bringing to her, and sometimes used his Sharingan to help her relax and sleep.
"We have an alliance meeting tomorrow with the new Kazekage,"
"Suna finally agreed to an alliance?" Rin asked, enjoying how Obito used his chakra to help her relax.
"Yeah. Fugaku wants me to lead it. He says that it'll be good in terms of getting experience,"
"He's always busy with meetings, so I haven't been able to ask," Naruto pouted, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
Rin felt bad for the blond boy. With his father gone, there was no male figure to teach the boy what he needed to learn. Rin was grateful for how Obito took Tenten in as a little sister. She saw how Tenten's fighting skills became cleaner, which increased her confidence. But the other teenagers didn't have an "older brother" to mentor them, and Rin could see how that could impact their development. And if the village were to continue striving, something had to be done to ensure kids now were set up for success.
"Let me talk to Obito and see what we can do," Rin said, which made Naruto jump up in happiness and nearly knock his bowl of ramen on Sasuke's lap.
After conversing with the teenage boys, Rin walked home as she felt the baby stir. She thought about taking a warm bath and going to sleep early.
By the time she reached home, Obito appeared at the center of their living room.
"The meeting's done?" she asked just as he pulled her into a hug and kissed her.
"No. We decided to take a quick break," he replied, his hands on her stomach, ""How are you feeling?"
"Aside from being tired, I am OK. I took a brief walk and saw Naruto and Sasuke. Naruto wants you to train him. And I think this village has an opportunity to help kids like him,"
"I agree. But right now, my priority is you and our child,"
"Hm, maybe have someone else start something?"
"Yeah. I think Shisui would be interested," Obito said, shifting the conversation back to her, "Rin,"
"Hm?"
"Are you sure you're OK?"
"Of course! What makes you ask? Do you think something will happen with the Kazekage here?"
"I don't know. I just have this bad feeling,"
"Maybe you're missing me too much being stuck in those meetings," she teased him, tip toeing and kissing his cheek.
Obito smiled, "That is true. I'm going to look for Tenten and have her stay with you until I'm done. I don't want you alone,"
"OK," she said with a nod, watching as he left their home.
Orochimaru cursed as part of his skin peeled off. For the last couple of months, he had been feeding off several children in order to retain as much of his youth as possible. But it wasn't enough, and every day he felt himself grow weaker. He needed to consume someone with rich amounts of chakra. If anything, someone who can also give him a new body.
And Orochimaru knew that there was one clan who could offer him just that.
The Uchihas were smart, and their Sharingan allowed them to know if there were any intruders. So to help with this daring mission, the sannin sent a snake to spy on the small village. He would use the serpent's eyes to see who his next prey could be.
For a couple of hours, it traveled through the wide river that eventually connected both villages. It slithered on the ground, hiding behind bushes and homes. It analyzed several Uchiha children, wondering if they were enough. Majority of those children didn't have great chakra reserves, and the serpent decided to spy on others.
It eventually found an older Uchiha by the name of Sasuke. The serpent watched the two teenagers closely, and through the serpent's eyes Orochimaru recognized Minato's son. He suddenly realized that he could take both of them. Minato may not have been an Uchiha, but he was very strong.
"Hey Rin!"
The serpent turned its head as the blond waves towards a pregnant woman. From his layer deep within Konoha, Orochimaru immediately recognized her. His serpents had attacked her and a couple of other men over a year ago. His curiosity changed upon analyzing the pregnant woman and the child she carried. Was she carrying an Uchiha?
Giving in to his curiosity, the serpent followed her as she headed towards what seemed to be her home. The serpent rested on a tree branch outside, watching through a window as a male figure suddenly appeared. And upon recognizing who that was, Orochimaru gasped from his layer. The male Uchiha pulled the woman closer to him and kissed her.
"The meeting's done?"
"No. We decided to take a quick break. How are you feeling?"
"Aside from being tired, I am OK. I took a brief walk and saw Naruto and Sasuke. Naruto wants you to train him as well. And I think this village has an opportunity to help kids like him,"
"I agree. But right now, my priority is you and our child,"
The young pregnant woman carried an Uchiha. And the father was the man who had defeated his army of serpents a year ago.
Orochimaru immediately changed his plans, no longer interested in Sasuke and Naruto. Not only would the unborn Uchiha satisfy his needs; but he would also be taking revenge on the father.
The sannin could tell that she was in her third trimester, and inducing the birth meant that he could consume the newborn even sooner. He licked his lips as the serpent made a very pregnant Rin Nohara its next target.
Author's Note: Thank you for reading! Let me know in a review what you think so far.