Friends Help
"Hello, Ma'am. I'm one of Shikaku-Sensei's students; Haruka Uchiha," said Haruka as she, Michiru, and Sasuke showed up at the Nara compound.
"Oh, yes!" said the women a with long dark brown hair and brown eyes opened the door. She was wearing a pink dress with a white apron. "My name is Yoshino Nara! I've already set up a few rooms. I wasn't sure if you guys wanted to share a room or not, so one room is big enough for the three of you."
"Thank you. This is Sasuke and Michiru. I'm sure we will figure out tonight, but I think we might end up sharing a room," said Haruka with a sweet smile. 'Isn't she supposed to be scary.'
"Of course," she said as the four walked into the living room. "SHIKAKU! GET OVER HERE! YOUR STUDENT IS HERE!"
'There's the fear factor,' thought Haruka with a sweat drop as the two kids hid behind her. They all listened as they heard a set of footsteps run toward the room they were in.
"I'm here," said Shikaku, out of breath. He then looked at the Uchihas. He was about to say something when Michiru cut him off.
"Can we see the deer?" she asked. She then started to blush when she realized she asked that out loud. 'I didn't mean to blurt that out!'
"Well, the other kids are here for the same thing. Hana came with Kiba to see you three, so might as well make a trip out of it," laughed Shikaku. He then looked at the ceiling. "When did I become a babysitter? What a drag."
"It's alright old man. We can get you a cane if you'd like," said Haruka, making the younger Uchihas laugh.
"Brat," he replied with a smirk. He then turned to exit the room. "Let's go to the others before Hana smells you and jumps you."
"Smell?" asked Sasuke as they followed him, leaving Yoshino behind.
"The Inuzuka Clan has a strong sense of smell," replied the man as he opened up a sliding door to a huge room. He then walked in and moved to the side to let the other three get in. Once in, they saw a group of children and Hana.
"Haruka!" yelled Hana as she jumped to get to her friend. She had been on the floor, playing a game with some of the children. She ran to teammate and hugged her.
"Hana. I saw you a little over an hour ago," said Haruka with a laugh, though she did hug her friend.
"Well, it's been an hour to long!" she then looked at Sasuke and Michiru with smiles, causing the two to smile shyly back at her. "And how have you two been?"
"We're better now," replied Michiru as she shyly looked at the older girl.
'Hopefully, this will save Sasuke from the path he was originally supposed to walk,' thought Haruka with a smile. She then looked at the children who were watching them.
"Sup?" she said as the children looked away shyly, causing Hana to laugh.
"Well, let's start!" laughed Hana.
"What a drag. My name is Shikamaru Nara," said a boy the same age as Sasuke and Michiru who wore gray short sleeved shirt with his clan symbol on the front and dark brown pants. His hair similar to his fathers.
"My name is Rei Kumori," said a girl with dark purple hair that stopped at her shoulders and sky-blue eyes. She wore a purple short sleeved shirt and dark blue pants.
"I'm Ami Sora," said a girl with short blue hair and gold eyes. She wore a mint green shirt with brown pants.
"Hi! I'm Usagi Tenshi!" said a girl with long blond hair that she had in pigtails and violet eyes. She wore a light blue shirt with short sleeves. She had on white shorts that went to her knees.
"My name is Choji Akimichi," said a boy. He had brown hair that was spiky, dark colored eyes, and red swirls on his cheek. He wore a green sweater that had a lighter color for its top and dark blue pants.
"My name is Kiba! I'm Hana's brother!" said a boy with the same face markings as Hana. He had short brown spiky hair and brown eyes. He wore a light brown long-sleeved shirt and gray shorts. He then pointed at a white dog with brown ears. "And this is Akamaru!"
"My name is Haruka Uchiha," said Haruka, shocking the younger children. "I'm sure all of you know Sasuke and Michiru already."
"Yeah!" said Kiba with a smile. "We have them in our class!"
"Well then," laughed Haruka. "I hope you will all be friends."
"Michiru would like to feed the deer. Does anyone else want to go?" asked Shikaku. The children buzzed with excitement, except for Shikamaru who was used to it, but went along with it since Rei would pull him along if he didn't go.
"We can?" asked Choji in surprise.
"Of course. Shikamaru, why don't you take the other kids."
"What a drag," said Shikamaru as he moved to go to the back, the others following him. Even Sasuke and Michiru left, excitedly talking to the others about seeing and petting deer.
"Are they okay?" asked Shikaku as he moved to sit down on one of the matts on the floor. Hana and Haruka sat in front of him.
"They're obviously shaken up, and so am I, but I feel we will make it through this. Them hanging out with those kids will help. They've only ever hung out with Itachi, Shisui, and me," said Haruka as she looked at her Sensei.
"I'll make sure to bring Kiba by and tell him to hand out with them," said Hana with a smile toward her friend.
"Shikamaru will probably head toward them, meaning Rei will, and in turn, so will the rest of them," said Shikaku as he thought about it.
"I feel like this will some how result with a bunch of kids at my house," said Haruka with a sweat drop.
"Speaking of houses; my mom took some people to help clean the Uchiha Compound. They are going to re paint and fix what ever they can. Mom said they will throw out ruined furniture, but wont replace it since it would be to much trouble to do. They will also clean up the houses and put things in boxes," said Hana.
"Thank you," said Haruka with a sad smile. 'I don't think I would have been able to do it at this time.'
"I told them to leave your room alone," said Hana as Haruka nodded.
"Sensei, I have a favor to ask," said Haruka, causing the other two to look at her.
"What is it?" asked Shikaku. In response, Haruka flashed her eyes, shocking the other two.
"This is called the Mongekyo Sharingan. You get it by seeing someone close to you die. There are some side effects."
"Side effects?"
"The more you sue it, the faster you go blind," said Haruka, shocking the other two.
"Blind?" asked Hana in shock.
"Yes. The only way to get around it is to take the eyes of a close family member, a sibling or parent. Michiru doesn't know this, but like my father, her mother had her eyes sealed in case she would ever need them. I need to get the eyes from Fugaku-san and Mikoto-san, in case Sasuke needs them.
"I also need to check the bodies. I need to make sure they are okay."
"The Hokage sealed their bodies so you can decide what to do with them. I will accompany you for this," said Shikaku with a frown. 'Could someone of taken their eyes? It couldn't have been Itachi. Then someone in the village?'
"Do you think someone would do something?" asked Hana in shock.
"People do crazy things for power, even ordering the execution of an entire Clan," said Haruka with a glare, shocking the others. 'I need help if I'm going to save Itachi.'
"You think someone ordered the execution?" asked Shikaku in shock.
"Itachi is a pacifist. He only became a ninja because it was expected of him," said Haruka as she remembered the walk they had right before she left on her mission.
~Flashback~
"Haruka, what do you think about being a ninja?" asked Itachi as the two held hands as he walked her back to her house.
"Honestly, I think it's sad that we have so much violence, but it cant be helped at this time," said Haruka with a frown.
"What about the Clan?" he asked her as he stopped, causing her to stop as well.
"I think we push our Clan members to hard. I know Sasuke feels it. I've noticed that many Clan members seem to hate the village." 'I might as well tell some truth.'
"When I become Clan Head, I plan on changing that," said Itachi as he moved to stand in front of her and put his left hand on her right cheek.
"Itachi?" asked Haruka with a blush.
"It may take a few years, but once I'm Clan Head, I plan on taking the pressure off of the younger generation. You're right about Sasuke, he's stressed because Oto-san expects so much. I want to change that. I want us to be able to fix our relationship with the village as well as be a pride for the village," said Itachi as he leaned his head forward, putting his forehead to hers. "The Clan forces us to be the best, no matter what. We aren't. Some of us have trouble but are forced to overcome them in ways that wont help us. We are forced to grow up to quickly. I want to be able to change that. I didn't want to be a ninja, really. I only wanted to be strong to protect my family and you, but now, my Oto-san sees me as strong and expects even more of me. I want to change it for my children when they come."
"I know you can do it," said Haruka with a smile. 'Maybe this means things will change?'
"I would like to have you as the person to stand by myside," said Itachi with a light blush.
"Are you asking me to marry you? We're only 13," said Haruka with a bright blush. Itachi smiled.
"It wont be for a long while, I promise," laughed Itachi.
"Good! I want to be a Jonin, you know! Maybe even Hokage?" said Haruka, confused, causing Itachi to lean back and laugh.
"Well then, Lady Hokage, we better get you home if you want to be able to get ready for your mission. You won't be able to become Hokage if you don't make it," said Itachi as he leaned in and gave her a quick kiss on her lips. The two blushed and went on their way to Haruka's house.
~Flashback End~
"I see," said Shikaku as he thought about it. 'If she's right, we will have to be careful.'
"Haruka," said Hana as she hugged her friend who had tears flowing down her cheeks.
"Itachi said that I should make sure not to catch the eye of someone named Danzo. Shisui told me the same thing," said Haruka, shocking the man.
'Danzo of the council?' he thought in shock.
"Listen, the both of you, this is not to be discussed with anyone else. If you're right, then there might be someone high up in power," said Shikaku as he looked at the two of them. 'I have to find some more info before I bring it up to Inoichi or Choza.'
"Understood," said the two as they looked at him, Hana letting go of Haruka.
"Also, there is another favor I need," said Haruka.
"Oh?" asked Shikaku with a raised eyebrow.
"Like I said, I have the Mogenkyo Sharingan. When my father died when I was a child, he had his eyes removed and sealed in a scroll for me if I ever needed them. It's currently at my house. I need to have my eyes replaced," said Haruka as she stared at Shikaku.
"Right. Once everything is settled, I will have you do the surgery," said Shikaku.
"Thank you, Sensei," said Haruka with a smile.
"Of course. It may be troublesome, but you are my student," he said with a fond smile.
"I'm also here, if you need me!" said Hana with a smile causing Haruka to grin.
The three then talked about what would happen to the Uchiha estate (going to Haruka as she was the oldest survivor, then to Sasuke when he was old enough), how many would be handled (Shikaku would help with that), how the clan would be represented (Shikaku would vote for the Uchiha's if Haruka was unavailable), how to gain more information on Danzo and others (Shikaku would figure this out before they even started trying to do it, for their safety).
After some time, the sun started to set. The children all came back, tired from playing outside. Hana took her brother and Ami home. The parents of Usagi, Choji, and Rei came for them. Everyone else had dinner and the three kids fell asleep on a couch, content with how the day turned out.
"They must be so tired," chuckled Haruka as she lifted Michiru up. Shikaku chuckled as well as he picked up Sasuke and Shikamaru.
"Well, they did run around playing ninja for a few hours," he said as he walked to the room that the Uchiha's would be staying in. Sasuke and Michiru demanded to stay with Haruka during dinner.
Shikaku waited as Haruka put Michiru down on the bed that was big enough for the three Uchihas. She then took Sasuke from Shikaku and put him down next to Michiru.
"Thank you, Sensei, for everything," said Haruka with a sad smile. 'I wish it didn't have to come to this.'
"No problem, brat," he said affectionately as he walked out of the room with Shikamaru.
'Tomorrow will be a hard day. No, the years to come will be hard, but I have to work through it, no matter what. I have to be strong for these children,' thought Haruka as she smiled at the two sleeping children.