Three Hundred and Twenty Four
"Well Sasuke," says Fugaku, as he is heading out the door to go deal with whatever emergency just arose at the Hokage Tower. "As of today, you aren't grounded anymore. Try not to get into any more trouble."
"Yes Dad," says Sasuke, wondering what to do today, now that she isn't grounded. Naruto is spending all his time training with Minato, Madoka is training with Tsunade practically all day most days and Kakashi got sent on a mission with Itachi's old ANBU team so that Sasuke's Dad can pretend he sent Itachi on a mission. Team training is suspended until further notice, and Sasuke's Dad can only train her from time to time - when he isn't swamped with Hokage duties. Her mother spends most of her time helping Shisui look after Karasu, and Eizo spends a lot of time with Ibiki. Sasuke could help with chores.
Nah.
Fugaku is already halfway to the Hokage Tower by the time Sasuke is finished her line of thought. She heads to the kitchen to see what her mother made for breakfast.
As soon as breakfast is over, Mikoto hands Eizo over to Sasuke and says, "Take Eizo to Ibiki for me."
So Sasuke sets off with Eizo. Eizo holds her hand and chatters about the pirate cartoon he loves watching on TV. It is a Saturday, so there are children playing in the streets. Sasuke feels no desire to join them anymore. She used to want desperately to join in with the other kids' games, but was too shy. Then she made friends with Shino and had a lot of fun with him. It's a pity he's on a mission with his father. Sasuke could've trained with Shino.
When they reach the T&I department, Eizo runs straight to Ibiki. "Uncle Ibiki!" he says. "Can I not wear clothes today?"
Ibiki laughs and says, "It's cold in here, you'll need your clothes today."
"You say that every day."
"That's because it's cold in here every day, because I need to wear my coat to look scary and I can't do that if it's too hot, see?" says Ibiki reasonably.
"Oh, I see," says Eizo sadly. "But pirates don't wear clothes!"
"Yes they do," says Ibiki. "They wear clothes that make them look scary." Then Ibiki sees Sasuke. "Hey Sasuke. I see you're off your crutches. That's good."
Sasuke looks down. She's supposed to be using her crutch until she stops limping. "Oh…" she says, overcome with shyness. "I...I must've forgotten it…"
"Well you'd better go home before you fall over or something," says Ibiki.
"O...okay," says Sasuke and walks out as fast as her Uchiha Pride will allow, limping the whole way. Her leg doesn't hurt, it's just awkward to walk on. Sasuke slows down once she is out of T&I and walks through the village at a leisurely pace. Not being grounded is nice.
Then she sees Madara walking along with his foster kids. It looks like they just did a grocery shop, because all the kids are carrying a bag of food and Madara has two, as well as Ajisai in a sling. Madara sees Sasuke and heads over to her. "Hey Princess," he says, grinning. "I see you've completely healed now."
"Not really, Uncle Madara," says Sasuke, glaring at Madara. "I'm still limping."
"You'll have that limp for a long time, maybe forever," says Madara. "What are you doing?"
"None of your business," says Sasuke.
"So nothing," says Madara, dumping one of his bags in her hands. "Carry this for me, I need a training partner and you'll do. Come on." He grabs Sasuke's arm and drags her along after him.
"Do I get a choice?" demands Sasuke.
"No, not really, but you'll get a lot stronger if you train with me," says Madara.
Sasuke blinks as she realizes that Madara is going to train her, and goes along with him. Training from Madara f***ing Uchiha? Hell yes. They stop at Madara's house to put away the groceries and then head to Sasuke's house. Sasuke assumes it is so Madara can tell her parents he's training Sasuke.
Madara walks right in with Sasuke, Tachibana, Sekitei, Sazanka and Yatsude following behind him single file like so many baby ducks. Ajisai, of course, is sleeping peacefully in the baby carrier tied around Madara's shoulders and chest.
"Good morning Mikoto," says Madara upon finding Sasuke's mother in the living room with Karasu and Shisui. "Morning Shisui."
"Oh, hello Madara," sasy Mikoto, smiling. "So you decided to visit after all?"
"Hey Madara," says Shisui, tiredly.
Madara bends down and pokes Karasu's cheek. "Have they infected you with their crazynes yet, little guy?" he asks.
Karasu makes an unhappy noise.
"Cutie, cutie, cutie!" says Sekitei, bouncing across the room and sliding to her knees, coming to a stop beside Shisui and Karasu. "Hello!" she coos, patting Karasu's hair.
"Oooh!" says Mikoto, crossing the room very fast so she can get a better look at Ajisai. "She's so cute. May I hold her? Is she okay with strangers?"
"Hmm, she seems to be okay with the crazies over at Kazama's house," says Madara. "And all of Iruka's class, so she might be alright with you." Madara carefully takes Ajisai out of her sling and hands her to Mikoto. Then he takes off the sling and hands it to Tachibana.
Ajisai wakes up and looks at Mikoto curiously. Perceiving no threat, she settles back down to sleep. "Aw, look at that sweet little face," coos Mikoto.
"Well I'll be off then," says Madara. "Look after these ratbags until I get back. Come on Sasuke, we have to turn you into a badass." Madara grabs Sasuke by the back of her collar and takes off out the window. Madara doesn't stop until he and Sasuke are in a remote training ground near the outskirts of the village.
"Did you just dump your kids on my mother?" demands Sasuke, crossing her arms and glaring at Madara.
"Yes," says Madara. "We need to train unhindered by small children."
"Hmph," snorts Sasuke.
"You look just like your father right now," says Madara.
Sasuke glares harder.
Madara laughs. "Alright, let's see how strong you are. Come at me with everything you've got."
So Sasuke unleashes every technique she knows on Madara, and he just stands there and stops every attack cold. Sasuke is frustrated because she can feel just how weak she got while recovering from her injuries. "Dammit!" she yells, cutting down a tree with a Chidori. "I've gotten so weak!"
"Calm down," says Madara. "I'll have you whipped back into shape in no time. Let's start at the basics to get warmed up."
Mikoto surveys Madara's foster kids with interest. She does not know all their names, or their ages, let alone how they will react once they realize Madara just hightailed it out of the window. Mikoto decides she had better distract the kids for as long as possible, and starts asking them questions. She finds out their names, ages and life story from Sekitei, who does not shut up from the moment she is asked the first question to the moment Sazanka slaps his hand over his sister's mouth.
"Shut up," says Saznaka. "You don't need to tell everyone we meet our whole life story, dummy."
"Where did Uncle Madara go?" asks Tachibana.
"Woof!" says Lucy.
"Last time Uncle Madara left us with someone so he could train for a bit he left us with Kazama," says Sekitei.
Mikoto has an idea. It's a rather good idea, she thinks. "Who wants to go for a walk?" she asks the kids. "You're coming too, Shisui."
A chorus of "Oh, me! I want to go for a walk!" comes from Madara's kids. So Mikoto sets off with a gaggle of children and Shisui following her. They head through the village to Kazama's house so Mikoto can suggest the idea to her.
When they arrive, they find Kazama hanging washing on the line while Kushina trains Burifu to use her chakra chain.
"Hey Kazama, hello Kushina, hi Burifu," says Mikoto. "Madara's left his kids with me so he can train Sasuke, and I had a brilliant idea I think you will like, Kazama."
"Oh, do tell," says Kazama.
"People keep leaving their kids with us - mostly you, but me as well sometimes," says Mikoto. "Let's start a babysitting centre."