DISCLAIMER: I DO NOW OWN NARUTO
Evening came and at 6pm the night quartet was at the Hospital's doors. They entered and went to the 'classroom' just to find Madara and Hashirama working hard on their fish and Ryuuji doing a huge effort to canalize chakra through his scroll. He was glowing a light shade of green, but he was almost there.
"You have four cases with " Sakura told Hikari "But they are all stable. Please keep an eye on them and call me if you ever need something"
"Right!" the Takishima answered "don't worry, see you tomorrow!" she greeted "I miss you kid!"
"I miss you too my friend!" the pinkette said emotional "Soon we'll have time to relax a little bit and catch up." Both girls laughed and left their respective chores.
Madara and Hashirama met with Ryuutaro San at the Hokage tower. Tobirama was already there like always. He wanted to speak with his brother about the whole Hokage thing, what he had talked with the Takishima left him thinking. He was surprised when he saw them walking through the door with food and some beverages.
"Anija I wanted to speak with you" He greeted, and then looked to the other two "Madara, Ryuutaro-San" que nodded.
"Hn" Madara copied his gesture. It wasn't that he hated Tobirama, but he had always thought he had a disgusting personality. He wasn't that bad now, but that his stubbornness and cockiness were tiring. He needed to learn a lesson. 'I'm glad Izuna found his center sooner' he thought.
"Tobirama-sama, good evening" the Koji leader said politely.
"Ah Tobi! It's great, we also wanted to speak with you too" Hashirama cheered. "Come on let's seat"
"But…" the albino tried to intervene, he wanted to speak with him alone, if the Madara was there it would be troublesome.
"Come on, we're tired from training today. We'll talk later back home" the Senju leader said with authority motioning everybody to seat at the Kotatsu as he placed the food and some sake. His brother sighed. 'If there's no other way' he thought. Once they were all settled I was the Uchiha who went straight to the poing.
"We need to decide who will be the Hokage" he said serious. 'There he goes' Tobirama thought as he zipped a bit of his Sake, he might need it. Boy this was going to suck. "I think, and I know you will agree with me that the leader has to be Hashirama" the albino almost choked with the alcohol. Madara noticed that, he had been sure that that was going to be his reaction. He smirked and continued "He doesn't want to, he wants the Hokage to be me though" Hashirama scratched the back of his head sheepishly "But I told him that the Village needs a charismatic leader, and him, being the shiny idiot he is, is the best option"
"Hey!" the brunette exclaimed.
"Anyway, we wanted to speak with you about that." Madara continued "Even though I am capable of leading the Village, because I won't be falsely modest about that, I don't want to. There are some things that I don't feel comfortable doing and I prefer to protect this Village from other side if possible. I also thought that you and I should be his counselors, because you will also agree with me on this, he's attention is of a child's and he is very insecure."
"Please stop talking to my brother like if I am not here" Hashirama pleaded. Ryuutaro san laughed. The youngest Senju couldn't believe what he was listening. He would have thought Madara would want to control the Village. First of all because the Village itself it had been his idea, his brother had told him so. The Uchiha did as if Hashirama hadn't intervened.
"Before you say something" he added at last "I don't have any secret agenda or ulterior motive. I just don't want to be messed in public relationships, paperwork and stuff. Also I'm not that sociable anyway."
Tobirama remained silent. This was a lot to take, but somehow he was sure Madara wasn't lying. The words of Hikari resounded in his mind.
Flashback
"My brother is honest and decent, and always worries about the others" the albino said.
"So by your logic Madara-san is dishonest, indecent and selfish?" Hikari retorted "Or you just want your brother because he's a Senju and he's more easy to control?" Oh, she was on fire today. She didn't mind making him feel uncomfortable or angry. She was tired of this grudge, now that everything actually seemed to be okay without the need of fighting. People even shared everyday things inter clans, and it had been two days the Village was officially inaugurated. The Senju didn't know why instead of being mad at her he was having difficulty to find words to counter answer.
"You think I want to control my brother?" he said disgusted "Why don't I claim the Hokage charge for myself then?"
"You wouldn't do that. You respect your brother too much" the kunoichi answered simply.
"Why, that's the only thing you've said that makes sense" he was irritated by now.
"So you don't think badly of Madara?" Hikari kept pressing the point. She wanted to know if Tobirama was definitely going to be a problem between the clans or not. "But you would never want him as a leader, would you?"
"I told you, I'm starting to respect him more" Tobirama explained less angry "But no, I don't want him as a leader. He's capable and has honor, but he's still an Uchiha, and his kin might want to take an advantage of it"
End of Flashback
"So summing it up, you want Hashirama to be Hokage and You and I his Counselors?" He finally said.
"Hn" Madara nodded. It was surprising how much time the Albino took to process everything.
"We'll be at the same level?" Tobirama asked "How do you think of implement that?"
"I was sure you will say something like that." The Uchiha smirked "Of course we will be at the same level. We will advise him, but in the end he can´t make a decision based on what we say. That's why we will need a Council. It would be not ethic if Hashirama decides something because you or I told him so" Now the eldest Senju was pissed, he punched the kotatsu.
"Enough." He said "If you both think that I am going to be the Hokage I will do it, but I won't be treated as a child that can't realize the importance of things or can't think by himself. I wont tolerate it" he looked at Madara and then he looked at his brother "from neither of you"
"Why do you put me on the same bag with him?" Tobirama said defensive.
"Oh come on Tobi, I know you" Hashirama said "You asked if you 'will be at the same level' because you think Madara might influence me. I know you think I'm a stupid, but I never thought you though so badly of me."
"You are not stupid" he answered his brother in a low voice. "I only think that you love your friend that much that maybe what he says might be more important that what I say"
"I don't want to meddle" Ryuutaro San spoke out loud before the other two exploded "But as an old man, life has showed me and taught me a lot of things. I can notice that the three of you have had hard family times that made you the strong men you are now, but also gave you some meaningful flaws. Hashirama san is insecure, Madara san is closed off to people, and you Tobirama san are mistrustful. For this village to grow, you three must overcome that." He spoke to the Uchiha and the Albino "You won't help Hashirama san to overcome his insecurity if you think the other can 'influence' him. And you" now he looked at the brunette "You need to believe in yourself. That's what brought us here too, not just Madara-san." He sighed smiling "Excuse my insolence, but think of me as a grandfather who wants his children to be fine."
The three of them remained in silence for a while. Ryutaro continued eating comfortably as if nothing had happened, and soon the other copied him.
"A council is a good Idea" Tobirama was the one to spoke "It should be formed by equal parts of the Clans and Civilians so it can be just"
"Yes, maybe the Clan leader and one or two other members, and the same amount of people from the Civilian Household" Madara agreed. "What do you think, Hashirama?" The mentioned took a while to answer. The words Ryuutaro san had said had a huge impact on him. He had never had a chat like that with his father, and someone telling him that he had to believe in himself in that way broke something inside him, or awoke something, he wasn't sure now.
"We will have a Village Council, equally formed by Clans and Civillians then." The brunette finally said "I also want to form some special charges regarding of commerce, security, education, and others. But first, we must address to the People. Even If we have decided that I might be Hokage, It's their voice the one we need to hear. If they agree that I can be their leader, I will be honored to do so."
"Excellent Idea Hashirama-san" Ryuutaro said as he sipped his sake.
"We have this dinner party in a week on our compound" Madara explain to the old man "Its Uchiha and Senju honoring Sakura-san and Hikari-san. We would be honored if you attend too Ryuutaro-san" he added and the mentioned nodded "There I will address to my people because I know there might be some that won't agree on our decision. They always fight back every little advance I want to have with the Clan. Fortunately these last days the Uchiha council is better grounded, in my father's time it was a disaster."
"You think your people might be a problem?" Tobirama asked concerned, but the Uchiha realized that this time his attitude was different. It was subtle, but he could feel a small change, for good.
"I don't think so" he answered "You should have seen and heard them when we agreed to sign the peace treaty and create the Village. Almost everybody was eager to start. Some old hags of the council were against it but Kido-san is one of the most reasonable men I know and he convinced them." He made a pause "The only one you need to be wary of is Majime. That bastard lives to see people unhappy. His opinion influences other four or five old men."
"Well noted" the albino said "Thank you for the advice. I know the Senju won't be a problem because it's Hashirama, but we have less ill willed people there. You don't have to be wary of none of them"
"Hn" The Uchiha said "Thank you to."
"Okay" Hashirama said quietly and serious "After that dinner party we will inform the whole Village that decision, and we made the designation effective immediately. We need to start to develop diplomatic relationships with other Clans so the Village can grow."
"You want to add more Clans?" the albino asked "Isn't it too soon?"
"I don't mean tomorrow" his brother rolled of his eyes he was a bit sensitive today "but we need to start speaking to them. We can't afford them to create their own Villages and start another war from their spots. Unity will lead us to peace" his sibling remained in silence.
"Very well then" Madara said as he left his plate empty "If the main picture is settled, why don't we gain time so we can have everything resolved when we make the designation?"
"What do you mean?" his friend asked.
"I mean that we can go through that idea of yours, the charges." The Uchiha said "It's a good idea Hashirama, that way you can derive work. I think Ryuutaro san here should be responsible for Commerce because all the experience he has leading a Merchant Village." He then looked at the man and added "You also have experience in domestic affairs such as the sanitary issue that we had today. None of us could have thought how to manage if it wasn't for you and Sakura-san. "
"What happened today?" Tobirama asked. Hashirama told him about the sick people and how should that be handed. "I understand, maybe you can create the figure of secretaries, one should be Commerce and other charge could be Infrastructure and Domestic affairs that might include everything related to the Villages needs in regards of those areas. Also you might need a Health secretary and I think everybody here thinks the same, Sakura-san must run it"
Madara and Hashirama looked at him in awe, Ryuutaro-san's words had had a great impact on the three of them, that man was a wizard.
"That's awesome Tobi!" the elder Senju exclaimed, becoming his old self again. The Albino didn't know why but he felt relieved. Well, he actually knew why. He felt like he had screwed things up all day long. He was indeed very mistrustful.
"So we have Commerce, Infrastructure & Domestic affairs, and Health" Ryuutaro san took a scroll and started to write "How about Security?"
"Yes, also very necessary" Tobirama said "I think Madara would be perfect for the role" Another wave of silence filled the room.
"Are you serious?" the Uchiha asked surprised
"Yes I am, why do you ask? He counter asked.
"I thought you would want to be in charge of security by yourself" Madara explained calm, but his surprise was still noticeable.
"If I don't start to trust you now I will never do so." The younger Senju stated. "I know you want this Village to succeed and its people to be safe. I also know that you are an honorable man. I don't need any other proof"
"Hn." He 'uchihally' answered feeling awkward "But…" he made a pause "I will need your help though. You are the best sensor I have ever known. We need to work together in a barrier to protect the Village's perimeter."
Now it was the turn of Tobirama to be surprised. That man, his former enemy, not only said he needed him, but he also praised him. And he wasn't used to praise. He just nodded in response because he found himself out of words for a moment.
"What else do we need?" Hashirama asked to Ryuutaro, he realized his brother had taken his friend's words to heart.
"Mmm…" The elder thought "We need Education"
"Education?" Hashirama repeated.
"Yes, I don't know how you teach your younglings" Ryuutaro said "But we have schools to teach the children basic things like maths, cience, and history among other stuff"
"I wanted to talk about that" Tobirama spoke again "I would like to create a ninja academy" The three men looked at him.
"You mean like the one Sakura-san and Hikari-san mentioned to have in their lost Village?" Hashirama asked his brother.
"Yes, in fact when I had the idea, Hikari-san confirmed that it was the same" he explained remembering that Ryuutaro-san didn't know the girls really story "it was such a coincidence she even laughed because she couldn't believe she was witnessing me having the same idea."
"That sounds like her" Madara said smirking and understanding what he implied. In their time it was him, Tobirama, that created the Academy. Ryuutaro-san seemed to not fully understand what Tobirama had said so the Uchiha continued "Okay, what do you have in mind? It's an interesting idea." The albino nodded not showing any of the emotions he was feeling at that moment.
"I would like to create a building that can function as an Academy. There Clan and Civilian children can go to train to be Shinobi, only if they want to." He explained. "I've watched two of your granddaughter's trainings with Hikari-san, and she has so much potential that I wondered how many children that are not from shinobi households might be like her."
"Oh, It's an honor that a shinobi like you things my granddaughter has such potential." Ryuutaro said proudly.
"Ryuuji-san has it too." Hashirama said "We sparred and he knocked me down twice"
"Really?" Tobirama asked surprised "I told you, you should train more, you're rusty" he mocked. He was regaining his 'Tobirama sense of humor' and his brother knew that that meant he was at ease.
"He is indeed rusty" Madara said "But the kid did two taijutsu techniques that were really impressive. Even if it that was all what he knew. He could change the direction on a kick in the air and then he did something that used Hashirama's own energy and threw him away. It was wonderful to see"
"I don't know why it seems to me that what entertained you more was me hitting the ground" Hashirama deadpanned at him
"Oh don't give you so much credit" the Uchiha dismissed him "I was in awe with the boy's performance, you can ask Sakura-san"
"My boys" the old man said with tears in his eyes "You made me feel even prouder of my grandchildren, thank you very much" The shinobi felt a bit awkward with the man's emotional display, they didn't know how to act in those situations. So the albino did what he was best for, getting straight to the point,
"So that's what I want to do." He said "a Ninja Academy, but Ryuutaro san's comment made me think that we should give some lessons of maths, history, and cience to form even more complete shinobi"
"That's awesome" the mentioned said. "So we will have a regular school with all civilian knowledge and also a Ninja Academy that will teach the basics of civilian classes?"
"That might be good for a while" Tobirama said "Maybe in the future they can be merged, and the children will choose which classes to take. But in the meantime that separation would be best to keep everything controlled."
"We will need to find teachers for that" Madara noted, and the Senju nodded "I assume you already have teachers for the civilian school, am I right?" he asked Ryuutaro.
"Yes, m'a boy" the elder nodded kindly.
"Could they teach the same on the Ninja Academy? Of course they will be paid for that extra work too once we resolve the incoming issues" the Uchiha said wisely. The man nodded again.
"That will not be a problem. If we work hard with the trading we'll get incomings soon" he said "our Village was well known in the merchant world, so it would be highly of use to Konohagure"
"That's wonderful" Madara smirked again "Then we will need shinobi teachers. We'll have to see in our trusted people so we made sure they will work fine. The education of children is a delicate issue"
"I was thinking we should get Sakura-san and Hikari-san's advice on this" Tobirama said "They seem to have experience in that"
"Hn" the Uchiha nodded
"That's true" Hashirama said. Ryuutaro wrote everything down.
"Okay it's a bit late now" the man said "What do you think, shall we continue our meetings during the week?" The shinobi looked at each other and agreed. "Then I must go, I have to check on the district." He excused himself as he stood up "It was a pleasure to have this reunion with you. I look forward to work with you all"
"You're already working with us Ryuutaro-san" Hashirama said kindly "You're like a compass to us, so we are in debt with you" The man waved his hands dismissing him, but he kept a big smile on his face as he left the room.
"So, we meet tomorrow here at the same time?" Madara said standing up too. The senju brothers did the same.
"Yes my friend!" the eldest said "I should go to get some rest too, tomorrow we have to continue the fish training! And that's a tough one."
"How is that going?" Tobirama asked "What's that about the fish?"
"It's kind of disgusting." Madara said "It stinks a lot" he joked. 'Madara, joking?' the albino thought. "We kind of learnt how to mold healing chakra, so we are training it by healing fish that are injured on purpose. Sakura-san said that they have less nervous terminals and if the cut is done right, they won't suffer, we need to practice on living beings but it will take some time until we can do it in humans. We have to focus our chakra on healing a cut she inflicts them but it needs perfect chakra control."
"So that's how it works?" the Senju seemed surprised by that, but mostly by how much the Uchiha had spoken to him so casually.
"It's more difficult in reality" he said "I've simplified it a little"
"Sakura-san keeps saving our fish for us" Hashirama said and a bit depressed he added "We still take too much time healing it and the poor thing is always on the verge of dying" The albino smiled sympathetically to his brother.
"Come on" he said "don't be so depressed. This is one of the things you need to change. You always fought adversity. I'm sure you will master it. You're very stubborn" he joked.
"Your anxiety levels are unbearable" Madara told Hashirama "As your brother says, you need to relax a little." He made a pause "Okay, I'm off! Jaa ne!" and with that he left.
"Aaaahhgg" Hashirama exclaimed he straightened his arms and sighed "He's always pissing me off!"
"He's right though, you're too anxious" his brother said.
"I can't believe you're on his side" the eldest sneezed playing the victim. Tobirama simply looked at him with a murderous look "A-anyway" he added "What did you wanted to tell me earlier Tobi?"
The mentioned eyes widened a little bit. With the whole conversation he had forgotten, but then it didn't make so much sense now.
"It was a stupid thing" he excused
"I know you, and you never say or think something stupid" Hashirama said. His brother thought of his answer for a while. He decided to be honest with him.
"I wanted to tell you that you should be the Hokage instead of Madara" Tobirama finally said. "But not only because of your qualities, but because I didn't want the Uchiha to be in control of the Village. I still don't trust them"
"Tobi…" the other said scornfully.
"But after all he has said… what Ryuutaro-san and you have said" the albino made a pause "I'm starting to think different. I still don't trust Uchiha as a group, but I have the feeling that I can trust Madara. And…"
"What?" Hashirama asked immediately. He couldn't believe what his little brother was saying.
"And I think I understand why you befriended him" Tobirama said looking to the side "He's bright, and even though he's bad tempered, you can have a good conversation with him. And he is honorable… Oh now what!?" he added as he saw his anija's eyes watering.
"Ohhh Tobi-chan!" he hugged him "I'm so happy to hear that my little brother and my best friend are getting along well"
"RELEASE ME IDIOT!" he tried to free himself from his brother's grasps but that only made him hug him even tighter.
"I hope you can make friends too Tobi-chan" Hashirama added in a saccharine voice, as he finally let him go.
"You've drank too much sake and now it's getting on to your head" Tobirama said a bit flustered. He was not used to that kind of display of emotions. "Come on let's go home"
It was a very quiet night at the hospital. The group had just finished their rounds and went to the classroom so they could start practicing on the fish. Hikari had explained the same Sakura had taught her 'students'.
Each of them was standing in front of a table with a healing scroll and a fish.
"You need to do the cut this way" the kunoichi sowed them "This is the only way for it to not be in pain." Both Uchiha had their Sharingan on, but the best to do the cut was Toka. She was the best with knives in the Senju Clan, and without the need of the dojutsu she could reproduce the cut easily. That made her gain praises of the three of them.
"Okay you have two minutes to heal the fish or it might die" Hikari said drastically "Just focus the chakra on the tissue layers needed to heal first as I've told you".
The first hour it consisted of the three of them trying and finally the Takishima saving the fish. After another half hour, Izuna, as expected, was the first one to achieve something.
"Ohhh it's working!" he exclaimed.
"Shut up and don't lose your concentration" Hikari reprimanded him as she stood next to him. "There, you go" she whispered. Toka and Takato were trying to peek but they still had to heal their fish. "Well done!" the Kunoichi applauded him and patted him on the shoulder "Let me check."
Izuna waited next to his fish as the Takishima controlled it. She finally grabbed the fish and put it in the water where it started to swim and jump happily.
"Let's give it some rest" Hikari smiled. "You've done it perfectly" The Uchiha's eyes watered a little, and his happiness was the one of a child. "Now, rest a little too. I'll help Takato-san and Toka-san and then we will continue"
"Can I get some fresh air?" he asked. The kunoichi nodded and he left the room while she was saving the other one's fish so they could start all over again.
Once he was outside the hospital, Izuna looked at his hands, closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He looked at the night sky full of stars as a tear fell down his cheek. 'I've done it mother' he said in his mind 'Susumi, Saito, I will help others.' He saw a shooting star, and felt like they were answering. With that and his heart filled of hope, he entered back the building to keep practicing.
At the end of the shift he would have healed the fish 20 times, and Takato and Toka would start to show some advances in tissue layers. Hikari was exhausted, but really proud of them.
As Madara left the building, he started to walk to the Uchiha compound and ended wandering down the lake where he had been the day before. He was surprised to catch Sakura still sparring with Ryuuji. 'I've must forgotten I've offered them this place' he thought, his footsteps had taken him there without him eve realizing. He was amazed to watch the pinkette's movements. She was insanely strong, but still she had smooth movements. Her hair danced around her as she continued, and her green eyes were fixed at her target, her student. He didn't want to disturb them so he motioned to leave, but she saw him.
"Ah Madara-san!" she exclaimed as she stop her movements and Ryuuji copied her. "My, it's pretty late, we got caught up in this" she added scratching the back of her head. She walked to him and he did the same. "I'm sorry for the intrusion"
"I've offered this place to you, remember?" he said calm.
"Well, we need to stop training for today anyway" she said "if not we won't be able to wake tomorrow "she looked at Ryuuji.
"Hai sensei" the boy said "I would like to go to the district to check if my grandfather needs help, is it okay?"
"Sure, go" Sakura said. The boy greeted both and left. "I must leave too" she told Madara.
"Let me walk you home" he offered.
"It's okay, I can take care of myself" the pinkette dismissed him.
"I know that" he joked "but still, my mother taught me manners and even if I might look barbarian, I'd like to think of me as a gentleman" Sakura laughed
"Okay" she said "Let's honor your mother's teachings" and she started to walk next to him. "How was the meeting today?"
"It was…"he made a pause "Interesting"
"Mmm… That bad?" she asked.
"No, it really was interesting" Madara explained "I think I made some advance with Tobirama"
"Really?" Sakura looked at him curious "how's that?"
"Well, I told him that I wanted Hashirama to be Hokage and he was pretty shocked" the Uchiha told her "I am sure he thought I wanted that charge" he laughed "And I am also sure he wanted to tell Hashirama that first, since when we arrived he wanted to speak alone with him first"
"That man sure is mistrustful" she lamented "I think I understand why, but he needs to open to others a little. Not everybody is evil or has an ulterior motive"
"That's what Ryuutaro-san said" he added, at her reaction que elaborated "I was straight forward with Tobirama, I even told him that I didn't have any secret agenda and that I thought him and I should be Hashirama's assessors. He asked if we'd be at the same level because he thought that because I'm his brother's best friend he would prefer my advices rather than his. In that moment Ryuutaro-san intervened and scolded all of us."
"Wow, Ryuutaro-san really is an intense man" the pinkette laughed as they kept walking, they were reaching the compounds limits "and he has nerve, to confront the most powerful shinobi in the Village! Ha, ha, ha"
"You laugh now, but he was right" Madara sighed "He kind of said that I was antisocial, Tobirama was mistrustful and Hashirama was insecure, and then he told him to grow up and to us to stop treating like he's not capable to do things." He made a pause "He talked us like a grandfather that wanted his grandsons to be alright, it was very touching". She looked at him understanding.
"You never had a supportive father figure aside Kido-san, am I right?" Sakura asked. Madara´s eyes widened.
"That's true" he said "It's more surprising because this man is so different. He is… I can't explain it"
"He's a very loving and caring person" she shook her head "Shinobi are not used to that, but he's a Civilian. He has lived hard times, but he's not 'programmed' to not to show his feelings" He looked at her "I can relate to him, my sensei always told me that I were my heart on my sleeve. I'm pretty sure that is the civilian in me" she laughed.
"Then it's a good thing" Madara commented quietly.
"You think that being sensitive is a good thing?" Sakura asked in wonder "Because most people all of my life told me that that was a liability"
"I think that makes you more human" he said "Of course you suffer more, but it ignites your necessity of protect and heal people. I think that is actually a strength." Sakura stopped on her tracks, they still were some blocks far from her home. "Did I say something wrong?" the Uchiha asked stopping too.
"You…" she wanted to say so much. No one had ever told her that. Okay, Hikari might have mentioned once or twice, but she always thought it was to make her feel better. "Thank you, I've never…" she sighed "I never thought that as a strength, but I guess you're right"
"Of course I'm right!" he exclaimed "Okay, that sounded worse than I intended, I'm sorry" he apologized. Sakura burst in laughter now.
"You're hilarious when you want to" she told him as she resumed walking. He followed her. "You are not that antisocial as you think"
"Why do you think that?" he asked
"You're here, escorting me" she moved her arms around her "telling me about your day, and trying to make me feel better about something" she added "I think you're pretty sympathetic"
"What?" Madara questioned, he wasn't going to say nothing about the other things she had said. He did that because he liked her, he didn't think himself capable to have the same chat with another person unrelated to him.
"Come on" she said "You know what I'm talking about"
"I do, but I don't see myself having this conversation with any other person rather than you" he said "Maybe Takato, but I wouldn't talk about something like this even with Hashirama. It's been a while since we talked wholeheartedly." He confessed. She hid her surprise, but her heart started to beat faster. He was implying that she was kind of important to him even if he didn't notice. She tried to divert the chat.
"Well, that means that you're making progress" Sakura said "because you're starting to speak about you, it doesn't matter to whom."
They continued walking in silence until they reached the pinkette's home. The lights were on, Matsu was there cooking dinner. Madara wondered how that man/entity knew how to cook.
"Hey!" Sakura said "Now that Matsu is here, it shouldn't be inappropriate for you to come by some day" a treacherous shade of pink crawled up his cheeks. She noticed that "I mean, you and Hashirama, or your siblings. Since there's 'a man' in the house"
"Oh, yes you're right" he said his nervousness fading a little. Silly of him to think she was inviting only him. "Anyway, you need to rest and so do I" he bowed "See you tomorrow Sakura-san"
"Yes… see you tomorrow Madara-san" she bowed and smiled at him "Thank you for accompanying me"
He nodded and turned his back to her and walked back to the Uchiha compound. She entered her home blushing like a teenager. She sighed as she leaned on the closed door.
"You seem happy" Matsu said "Good Chat with the Uchiha?"
"Were you listening?" Sakura asked him
"Maybe, maybe not" the Otsutsuki said "This man is completely different than the one in your time. I was sure he was a tortured soul I can understand now. I could see his pain from the moon"
"Really?" the pinkette asked as she sat on the table to eat something. "I assume it must have been hard to watch your nephews and their reincarnations suffer that much"
"You have no idea" he said "Please eat something, I already ate but saved you a plate"
"You eat now?" Sakura asked surprised as she grabbed a bite of meat. He nodded.
"Seems that this henge body has appetite." He laughed. The Kunoichi eyes shone.
"OH FOR KAMI'S SAKE, THIS IS DELICIOUS!" she exclaimed. Matsu smiled 'I'm happy to at least do this to help them'.
Days passed and the training kept going. Izuna learnt faster than anybody. Hikari had already taught him the Mystic Palm and he was working on reviving fish by stimulating their hearts. Once he mastered that, he would be taught by Sakura to treat small mammals. Toka and Takato were now healing tissues properly, but were having trouble with the Mystic Palm.
On the other hand Sakura had already taught Madara and Hashirama the Mystic Palm, but given Hikari's reports they were far behind Izuna. Fortunately they didn't mind, because they were competing just between themselves.
One day the clan leaders were sparring with Ryuuji and Sakura was guiding him. He was very frustrated because he hadn't been showing any advance with chakra. In a moment of desperation, he expelled chakra for first time. He did a small chakra ball and threw it to Madara, burning his shirt's left sleeve.
"Whoa!" the Uchiha exclaimed "You did it kid!" he said proud.
"Oh Kami, are you okay?" the teen said concerned.
"Hey, don't worry" he dismissed him "I don't want to sound cocky, but it takes a lot of fire to burn me off." He joked.
"How did you feel?" Hashirama asked him with enthusiasm "Can you recognize the feeling to reproduce it?"
"I-I don't know" Ryuuji answered.
"Just let him be" Sakura intervened. She walked to him and grabbed him by his shoulder "You did well. Now try to relax and close your eyes" he did as told "Take a deep breath and focus on the feeling. Fill your hands with chakra and think of releasing it"
Suddenly his hands glowed blue. He opened his eyes and saw it, he felt like crying.
"Sensei! Sensei" he exclaimed "It's Chakra, I can feel it, I can see it!" Sakura was so proud of him. Madara and Hashirama too.
"Okay boy, we should realize what type of chakra nature you have." The pinkette told him.
"How can we do that?" he asked still looking at his hands. He didn't want to 'turn of' that chakra.
"Guys, can you help me with that?" both looked at her confused. "I can't use the way we did in our village, I don't have the supplies" and they understood.
"Let's see… well, actually we learn by trying." Hashirama said "but maybe if we speak with Tobirama he can feel his nature"
"He can sense chakra affinity too?" Sakura exclaimed surprised.
"Yes, he is awesome!" his brother exclaimed. Madara rolled his eyes.
"Ryuuji, do you want Tobirama-san to check that?" the pinkette asked and the boy nodded, he knew what nature jutsu was because he had seen Madara and Hashirama doing it. He wanted to do the same. "Okay" Sakura said "but first I want to show you some other uses of chakra with or without hand signs."
Then she proceeded to show him the Shadow Clones, Henge, how to climb trees and walk over water.
"These are some uses of chakra we will work" she said, "trees and water need for you to send chakra to your feet and control it. It will take time but I'm sure you will do fine"
The boy smiled and spent the rest of the evening trying to send chakra to his feet. When they arrived with Tobirama, who was surprised to see what the boy could achieve, checked him and realized he had fire nature.
"Fire is the most noticeable nature I feel" he said "But he might develop another one if he trains hard"
The four of them thanked him and Madara, Sakura and Ryuuji left the Hokage tower. When they were outside, the teen spoke to the Uchiha.
"Madara-san" he said "would you teach me fire nature jutsu?" The Uchiha was surprised to hear that. He looked at Sakura. She was smirking behind the boy, Ryuuji had already asked her if he could ask them to teach him if he had their same type of chakra nature.
"I know he's my disciple" she said raising her hands "but there are some things I can't teach him though, so feel free to teach him that if you want to". The Uchiha remained silent for a while.
"All right Ryuuji-san" he said "I will be honored to teach you"
It was the day before the Honor Dinner party at the Uchiha compound. Hikari had been working with the guys and Toka for a surprise for Sakura. It was already March 28th.
"We should have told Madara this" Izuna scolded her.
"Yes and also Hashirama and Tobirama" Toka added "they would have wanted to greet her properly"
"And why do you think I haven't done it?" Hikari said playing offended. Takato looked at her.
"You told them?" he asked.
"Yes, I asked Megumi for help." The Takishima explained "I told her yesterday to tell her Grandpa and the Guys when they were at their regular meeting at the Hokage tower"
"Brilliant" Izuna said.
It was already 6am and Sakura was approaching with Hashirama, Madara and Ryuuji. She was surprised to see everything dark at the hospital, even the windows were closed.
"What's going on?" she asked as she entered.
"Happy Birthday Sakura!" the night shift group shouted as Takato and Izuna opened the windows and lit some candles.
"Tanjobi Omedeto Sakura-san!" Hashirama exclaimed. She looked at him, then at Madara who was smirking.
"Happy birthday Sensei!" Ryuuji smiled at him.
Suddenly Tobirama, Ryuutaro-san, his son and Megumi appeared to greet her. She was stunned. Her eyes were full of tears, tears of joy. Hikari appeared with a small cake that had a candle. She had explained to them that in their Village they celebrated by thinking of three wishes and blowing a candle to make them come true.
"Happy birthday Kid" The Takishima smiled broadly "Hope you like the surprise! Now make your wishes"
The pinkette was very emotional; she didn't know what to wish for. Quickly she thought 'I hope this peace lasts forever, I wish to be happy, and I wish to see my old friends one last time' and blew the candle. She knew the three wishes were difficult to come true. Well the happiness was debatable. Because she could positively say that she was already happy at that moment.
*** AUTHORS NOTES ***
A bit of time skip here. And MadaSaku specially made for Ania980. I love writing Madara interacting with everybody uwu
Tobirama was insufferable last chapter but he needs to grow as a character, as the man I think he is.
I'm trying to keep it real but even though this is a long fic I'm not going to extend myself in that, because I also think these characters are very bright and can realize some stuff quickly. I think they must have lots of conflicts still open in their hearts and minds, because you can't forgive or go on that easily in real life, but they just need some special kick starters.
They can notice who loves who, but they are not ready to face their own feelings like regular people. At this moment love is not the main goal yet, but we know it is already there. I like to show some differences: Some feelings are new and others look like new but they have been there for some time. Every relationship I have in mind will develop at its own pace though.
We're going to have some action soon. Hope you like it. Konoha will grow!
Take care, stay at home, love, Bella