Note: What even are words. Like, what. Who decided they were to be things, and had to be in a specific order to make sense. This is hard m'dudes. Also fun fact: My computer crapped out again so I'm doing this from a tablet right now and it's not fun at all.
Between the voices of Mikoto and Sakura, and the occasional random noise from Sasuke, breakfast was loud, not that Itachi minded too much. Meals usually were, with Sakura around. Mikoto was talking to her about the Uchiha sponsorship, and what it entailed. In Konoha, clan sponsorships were rare, partially because civilians rarely graduated from the academy, and partially because no one wanted all the paperwork that came with it. Sakura nodded along, and sometimes asking a few questions.
When Fugaku entered the dining room, and sat down, Itachi sat up straight, and Sakura turned her head slightly, not giving him her full attention, but keeping him in her sights as he picked up his chopsticks. There were a few moments where the group ate in silence before Sakura turned her attention fully back to Mikoto, asking her another question.
After breakfast, Mikoto dragged Sakura upstairs, pulling her into the room next to the one where she had stayed. Before she could ask why, a bundle of cloth was pressed into her hands.
"Put these on."
"I- the clan uchiwa, I can't-" Sakura protested as Mikoto made her way towards the door.
"They haven't been embroidered yet, and they're better that what you're wearing right now."
Sakura couldn't deny that, and unfolded the clothes as Mikoto shut the door. 'Such a high collar' She thought as she pulled it over her head.
Itachi glanced at her in confusion as she pulled her sandals on and walked out the door. She shrugged and stepped aside as Mikoto made her way out the door. They followed behind her, waiting for the chance to leave clones and head out towards the training grounds.
Crowds filled the market streets of Konoha, civilians haggling with the merchants from other villages and children attempting to snag random foods on the ends of stands, and every once in a while, a ninja walking with bags of food, or new clothes. Someone brushed against Mikoto's side, and she glanced after them. A kid, just older than Sakura, was picking his way through the crowd, dodging between the passing adults and ducking under elbows. Mikoto pat her side, suspicion filling her mind as she stood watching the kid.
With a whispered, "Wait here," she was gone, pulling her hair into a tight bun and walking quickly through the crowds to catch up to the child. She scanned the flow of people, but couldn't find a trace of him. Shadows passed over the heads of the civilians, and Mikoto glanced up, mentally smacking herself on the head. 'Of course,' she thought, 'the rooftops.' She turned right, walking towards the edge of building before pushing chakra into her legs and jumping to the roof. She stumbled, taking a step backwards, before realizing there was no backwards to step, and pushed chakra into her other foot, which still held contact with the roof.
Her arms flailed, and hit something solid before hands grasped at her arms and pulled her upright.
"Be careful, it's kinda dangerous to-" With a twist, Mikoto was free, and racing towards the direction she saw the thief go, paying no mind to the man who had stopped her from falling.
"Huh, that was interesting." He thought, watching as the woman made her way over the rooftops, black hair tied back into a tight bun. Genma turned back towards where he was going, before his thought caught up to him and he whipped around again. "Shit, was that Mikoto?"
"Hey Itachi, did you know your mom could do that?" Sakura twisted in midair to look at her companion.
"She was a jonin of Konohagakure before she married, so it's not too surprising that she knows how to leap across the rooftops."
"Huh." Sakura jumped off the roof. "Elders make her quit?" At his nod, she muttered, "Of course they did."
The rest of their trip was spent in relative silence, except for the quick apology Sakura shouted at the man they nearly collided with as they landed on another roof, but other than that, they arrived at the training grounds with little incident. Shisui was leaning against one of the trees surrounding the clearing, sharpening his tanto. He sheathed it in a quick motion, tossing his whetstone into his hip pouch and taking a step towards them.
"Skipping out on school again? C'mon they could be giving you important graduation information." Itachi tensed, Shisui's grin widening before shifting into a look of pain as Sakura hit him on the head.
"Shisui, you're gonna stress him out." She turned to said boy. "Itachi, you left a clone there. Even if they were going to tell us, which they won't, you can always go through the clone's memories later." Sakura wrapped her arm around his shoulder. "Don't worry so much. It'll work out in the end."
Shisui clapped his hands. "Alrighty, shall we get started?" He shot a look at Sakura. "What were you planning on working on today?"
"Kunai."
"Alright!" Shisui's grin grew wider, and both Itachi and Sakura took an instinctive step back. "Good luck."
"Ah, Fugaku, glad you could join us this morning."
"Yes. We have much to discuss." Fugaku bowed to the honored elders, as was expected of him as clan head, biting back a sigh as they only nodded in return.
"The clan is growing restless under your lead, Fugaku." Ah, there it was. It wouldn't be a meeting without his position being insulted, he supposed.
"I see."
"And the police force has been restricted even more since the attack of the nine to mention the rumors that the civilians are spreading."
"Yes, however–"
"And how you have done nothing to protect the Uchiha name since then."
"Yes however–" He began again, raising his voice, challenging them to interrupt him again. "I believe that by sponsoring Haruno Sakura, we can strengthen–"
"Again with Haruno. Fugaku, the only thing that can come from the Uchiha clan sponsoring that civilian is a loss of resources."
Fugaku opened his mouth to protest, only for another elder to speak first. "Yes, however, if Haruno is actually as good as Fugaku say she is, then would she not be an asset to the clan? Not only would she be indebted to the Uchiha, but having connections to the Uchiha that she willing forged as a civilian may ease the minds of the other civilians."
"Or make it worse!" He first elder screeched. Fugaku wanted to drop his head onto the table. This is why he didn't like meetings with the honorable elders. They were either attacking his decisions, or each others. He sighed, preparing for another 30 minute debate between the two when it suddenly went silent.
"Very well. Sponsor the brat for all I care. When your plan backfires, credit will fall on your shoulders alone."
Fugaku stood and bowed, quickly exiting the room and heading down the hall before allowing himself to have the 'what the hell just happened' thought process.
After a good hour of running about to collect all the necessary sponsorship forms, Fugaku finally managed to make it back to his house.
Note: *publishes chapter four hours after the usual because I was distracted by Saturday night anime*
What is up you guys I am going on vacation on the second of July to the fifteenth so y'all probably won't get an update the week after next, so that's that for major announcements.
A Wild Genma Appears
Fugaku Is Doing His Best Because He Is Scared Of His Wife
Mikoto Isn't As Good A She Was But With Every Day She Achieves More
I Don't Know Why I'm Typing Like This But It's Fun