Revival

A/N: Ok….I'm killing my professors. It's not fair to have this much homework. Ok….so it is. Argh! Sorry for the wait!!! –being glomped by pets- I also did a timeskip. Soooo….enjoy!!

Chapter 3: No one Puts Baby In the Corner

The little girl bounced happily in her bed that had replaced her crib years ago. The room was still called the nursery, though. Lavender hydrangeas and soft white furniture had taken the place of the pink frilliness. The room had a quaint, mature feel to it despite its inhabitant being only two years old. Little did she know, two Akatsuki members were headed for her home.

"Stowy. Pwease?" She squealed.

"Not tonight." Sasuke patted her head. "We're tired."

"A superty fastest one." She whined.

"Fine. Once upon a time there was a little ninja who was very sleepy." Naruto began.

"Daddy!" Mikoto giggled.

"She wanted to stay awake all night but then she wouldn't be able to see Mr. Sun because she would be asleep in bed." Sasuke continued, throwing a playful glance at Naruto.

Naruto joined in. "So like a good little girl she went to sleep and the next day played outside with all her friends. The end."

"Agin! Pwease?" She begged.

"But you said a super fast one!" Naruto tickled her and went to turn off the light.

"Tuhmowuh…can I hear bout the one when Daddy getted the sherrygun, agin?" Sasuke nodded. It had been her favorite after all. Her second favorite was the time when Team 7 tried to see Kakashi's real face. Ever since, she tried to yank his mask down but failed every time.

"G'night." Sasuke said. The lights were off and Mikoto tried to get some sleep. She fidgeted for a while under the blankets but finally closed her black eyes.

An hour later, Itachi and Kisame were inside of Konoha's borders. The village was quiet and still; they walked around as if they belonged. Kisame, however, was still very hungry. "Can we stop somewhere?"

"You can go buy some food if you like." Itachi said coldly. "I want udon noodle soup."

Kisame sighed and they separated. Itachi continued to walk to the Uchiha Complex, fearless. It wasn't far now. He could see the outlines of the homes. Tall, dark and empty.

He could still see the pools of blood that splattered the ground. He could still see the bodies of his many, many relatives. He remembered Sasuke's face; Sasuke, who wasn't even worth killing.

Itachi made one smooth leap into the window, gingerly like a cat and observed the darkened room. There were large flowers in vases and stuffed animals. On the bed that was too large for such a small sleeping form was what he assumed to be his daughter.

He imagined her as being as pathetic as Sasuke, weak and whining. He leaned in to examine he little face. Pudgy pinks cheeks, jet black hair, tiny hands and tiny ears—he didn't see himself in her at all. She resembled Sasuke, little Sasuke.

She stirred. Quickly, Itachi backed away. He really didn't want to have to deal with a vengeful Sasuke right now. "….Daddy?" He heard a soft murmur.

"Go back to sleep." He said emotionlessly and pulled the blankets back over her. Perhaps, she would be useful after all. When she was older…a plan was quickly devised in his head.

He made his was through the house he still knew so well. Sasuke would be sleeping in his old room, third door on the right. He walked in, careful not to make a sound. Sasuke was sleeping, an arm draped over Naruto's waist. He ghosted his hand over Sasuke's face, feeling the body heat against his hand. "Dream of me, little brother." He whispered and immediately left.

Sasuke awoke to see the hem's of the black Akatsuki cloak leaping out of his window.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

After that incident, Sasuke became overprotective. And even that was an understatement. Mikoto wasn't allowed five feet away from her well-meaning parents or some other trustworthy ninja. She had a strict curfew and was given every lecture possible on not talking to strangers. On top of all that, Sasuke began to train her so she could at least attempt to defend herself if the situation arose.

Years passed. Now, nine years old, Mikoto tiptoed through the shadows in the early dawn light. She leaned up against the wall and peeked around a corner.

No detected movement.

She put a foot out and heard a low creak. Her teeth clenched. Had they heard her?

Still no detected movement.

She made a cat-like leap and landed somewhat awkwardly near her target.

Last step, get ready—

"HA!" Shouted the seemingly asleep Naruto. Mikoto's heart leapt into her throat and she let out a terrified shriek.

"It's not fair, Dad!" With her little hands balled into fists, she smacked him.

"Is that my ANBU shirt?" Sasuke grumbled from the other side of the bed. The dark colored shirt was sliding off one of her shoulders. She nodded. Sasuke groaned and buried his face in the pillow.

Naruto gave his daughter a quick hug. "Time for school?" He asked, yawning.

"Almost. Can I walk myself today? Please? It's right around the corner." He dark eyes pleaded.

Naruto glanced at Sasuke. He never liked Sasuke's iron fist reign but it was for the best or so he thought. Sometimes, he'd let Mikoto play outside by herself or take a quick walk. She was very quiet around other people and socially awkward which wasn't really a surprise, since she never spent much time around people her age. "I'm fine with it." Naruto smiled.

Mikoto shrieked. "Oh thank you so much, Dad!"

"No." Came Sasuke's answer.

Mikoto groaned and hopped off the bed. "Fine." She went into the kitchen and poured herself a glass of milk.

"Sasuke." Naruto began. "Maybe just this once…?"

"No." Sasuke was firm. He got up.

"It's probably embarrassing for her." Naruto said. At nine years old and getting ready to graduate, she was the only child who was still walked to school and kissed by her parents. "What about when she's a genin?"

"We'll talk then. But right now she's still a child."

"You mean a baby." Naruto retorted.

"She's still my baby." Sasuke grunted as he pulled a navy shirt over his head.

//Flashback//

Sasuke tapped his fingers against the desk, impatiently while Iruka thumbed through some files. Miko-chan was waiting outside the classroom; the door was shut so she couldn't hear. "I have no time for this sensei. If you're going to tell me she stuck gum to her chair…"

Iruka smiled a bit. Sasuke had never really warmed up to him and he certainly didn't expect him to start. "No it's not that." Iruka sighed, knowing this would be hard. "You have to let her graduate this year."

Sasuke didn't answer.

"She's going crazy in this class, Sasuke. She's a good student….there's nothing left I can try to teach her."

"She's only nine."

"Almost ten!" Iruka retorted loudly, not used to raising his voice at parents. "Holding her back will just make her resentful."

"She can wait till she's twelve like a normal kid."

"You just don't want her to be like Itachi."

"Don't say his name!" Sasuke screamed, pounding the desk with his fist.

Outside, Mikoto was itching to go back inside the classroom and see what they were talking about. She could catch words and phrases and she tried to string them together to make sense but it didn't work.

A tall boy with blue hair walked to the classroom. His bangs were long and covered part of his scarred face. He was in her class; a quiet and silent boy who kept to himself. "Nao-kun." She started to say, "I wouldn't—"

"I forgot my book." He said simply and opened the door.

"Mikoto didn't I tell you to stay out!" She heard her father's voice shout.

"I'm not Mikoto." Nao replied and walked casually in the classroom. Seconds later, he walked out of the classroom and left, without saying a word.

Sasuke poked his head outside the door, traces of anger still graced his features. "I'll be just a minute, sweetie." The door shut again.

Iruka huffed. "You haven't told her anything. Am I right?"

Sasuke ignored him, unwilling to be bossed around by some chuunin. Iruka closed his eyes in frustration, "She is graduating this year, whether you like it or not."

//End Flashback//

Naruto sighed, "I'll walk her today."

He found Mikoto on the porch, poking at the dirt with a stick. "Hey Miko."

"Hn." She continued making little drawings in the dirt.

"It's your birthday tomorrow." Naruto tried for some encouragement.

"Don't remind me." She drew her knees to her chest. "I hate birthdays." Last year, Sasuke and Naruto tried inviting her class but most people didn't show up and those who did were just being polite.

"Well I didn't really have any friends either till I was a genin." Naruto gave her shoulder a squeeze.

"Really?" She said doubtfully. She met his twinkling blue eyes and a smile formed on her face. "Okay." She stood up and stretched. "So do you know whose team I'm going to be on, huh? Has Uncle Iruka told you yet?"

"Haha….yeah." Naruto scratched his head nervously.

She got into a fighting stance, "Tell." He shook his head and she tackled him. "Please! I don't want to be on a team with some dunce or some stuck-up pig!" Naruto laughed loudly.

"You'll be late for school—hey no tickling!"

He knew Iruka spent lots of time with the Hokage choosing the teams. Teams required balance, compatibility both emotionally and physically and teamwork. Iruka had considered this when making Team 7 and now for Mikoto and her future teammates.

On the way to school, they ran into a twelve year old boy with shoulder-length blond hair. "Hey, hime!" He said casually and winked. Mikoto rolled her eyes.

Naruto raised an eyebrow, "Hime?"

"That's Fudou Kouji. He's the class flirt." Mikoto shrugged. "Well…bye!" She ran off, her long ponytail trailing behind her.

While at school, Mikoto doodled in her notebook. School was so boring, even if Iruka-sensei was teaching. He was a very vibrant, caring teacher but she caught on quickly and didn't like hearing the stupid questions after. "Miko-chan!" Iruka called. Her head snapped up.

"Hai!" She stood up.

"Make a clone of yourself." She did and Iruka congratulated her. She was right, it was going to be another boring day. She continued to make a picture of using katon no jutsu to burn her birthday party to the ground. She grinned. Now that would make it exciting.

At lunch time, she sat with Iruka. Other kids made fun of her for it, calling her "teacher's pet" but it was better than sitting with them and listening to their mindless chatter. Iruka bit into his sandwich. "Miso again for lunch?"

"Yeah." She opened her thermos. The soup was lukewarm but ok. "Are you coming to my birthday tomorrow?"

"Of course." He patted her on the head. "ten years old….that would make me….thirty five?" He chuckled. "Are any of your friends coming?" He asked, already knowing the answer.

"No." She said, looking out the window. She noticed the sad look on Iruka's face, then smiled, "I'll be ok! What're you getting me this year?"

"It's a se…cr…et!" Iruka smiled. Mikoto was a very bright child, which was to be expected considering her biological father and the constant training she received from both Sasuke and Kakashi. He looked at her two future team members. He hoped that they would get along. All three of them were different but variety is the spice of life, right?

While Mikoto was at school Sasuke and Naruto lazed around on their day off. It was rare that they both had a day off at the same time. Naruto was curled up on the couch with Sasuke's head in his lap. He ran his fingers through the smooth strands. "Love you."

"You better fuck me in the next five seconds or I'm ripping your clothes off." Sasuke growled.

Naruto chuckled and patted Sasuke on the head.

"Going crazy down here." Sasuke said, nuzzling Naruto's crotch and then unzipping the pants. He looked up at Naruto with hungry eyes. "Love you too."

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

The next day, Sakura stopped by to help decorate the house. "Her favorite color's lavender right?"

"Something like that." Sasuke said, laying on the couch with his eyes closed.

"Now, Naruto, I want balloons over here. And—oh—streamers right there. Can you reach up there, thanks! And I baked a cake. Cherry-flavored with pink icing. I know it clashes but it's my present to her." Sakura continued on and on, making Naruto groan.

"You're not my wife so stop acting like one." Naruto said under his breath. Sakura raised a fist but Naruto had the gall to go on, "So why don't you marry Lee so you can start bossing him around you flat-chested girl."

That did it.

Naruto was suddenly on his ass with a large bump on his forehead, looking up at Sakura. "You don't even like boobs!" She screamed angrily.

Naruto grinned. "I do too….I just like Sasuke's better."

And with that comment, Naruto was smacked upside the head by his lover.

The party began shortly and Mikoto finally came out of her room with her eyes closed. She finally opened them when she heard, "Surprise" ring out. She smiled softly. Her parents, Sakura, Kakashi and Iruka were there. They were usually the guests. She sighed.

"Hey, Miko, cheer up. Today's not a day to look sad." Sakura said, ruffling some of her hair.

"I guess." She said.

The door swung open and all the guests turned to see who it was, "Hello, hello!" A handsome man about twenty five years old with a wide grin waved at the group.

"SAI?!" Cried Team 7.

Sai nodded and then surveyed the room. When his eyes honed in on Naruto, he made one smooth leap and glomped the poor blonde. "Gerroff meh Sai!" Naruto said, muffled.

"Naruto-kun! I missed you. Every little part of you." Sai's hand began to inch closer to a spot he always wanted to touch.

"Stop molesting my boyfriend, Sai!" Sasuke said, his red eyes flaring. Sai backed off, grinning.

"Why are you here?" Sakura asked.

"Well hag-dear, I came to say hi to the birthday girl." He walked over to Mikoto and handed her a picture. She looked up at him, sizing him up. He seemed nice enough. A little strange but nice.

"Thanks." She said. She looked at the picture. It was of a small gray kitten batting at a butterfly. "I love it." She grinned sincerely for the first time.

Naruto and Sasuke gaped at Sai. "What the crap?"

Iruka coughed awkwardly. "Um, let's have cake." Kakashi eyed him suspiciously.

With graduation right around the corner, Mikoto couldn't sleep. To make matters worse, her parents were being sent on a mission. Naruto hugged her. "I'm sorry, baby."

"We'll be back soon." Sasuke smiled.

"So….do I get the house to myself?" Mikoto hoped.

Sasuke chuckled. "No chance in hell. You're staying with—"

"Kakashi and Iruka until you get back. I know." Mikoto crossed her arms and stuck her tongue out.

"You don't like your godparents?" Came a familiar voice. Mikoto turned around to see the masked ninja. "Yo."

She hugged him, unexpectedly. "Hi Kakashi-sensei."

"You be good now." Sasuke said and the two left.

"So what're we going to do? Stay up late? Watch scary movies? Eat ramen and ice-cream till we puke? Wait till you go to sleep so I can steal your Icha Icha book, finally?!" Mikoto said, jumping on his back for a piggy-back ride.

"Be gentle. I'm not as young as I used to be." Kakashi joked.

That next morning, Mikoto woke with circles under her eyes and a bad hair day. She walked to school with Iruka. Her heart fluttered in her chest with every step. She needed to know the members on her team. She hope she wouldn't be stuck with any of the mean girls and boys she'd come to resent. She had heard enough "you have no mommy" and "you're dads are gay" comments to last her a lifetime.

When she reached the classroom, she sat down at her desk. Sitting next to her was the very quiet Nao. His blue hair had been crudely cut. Little traces of his scar that he worked so hard to hide could be seen.

Iruka thumbed through some papers. "Ok, Team 1..." He began to call of names. Complaining already started, apparently no one was put with people they really liked. "Team 3…Fudou Kouji…Arisada Nao…and Uchiha Mikoto."

Mikoto glanced at her new teammates. Nao was looking out the window while Kouji was sleeping. After class, she wanted a word with Iruka-sensei. Oh yes, many words indeed.

"So, hime." Kouji walked up to her and sat on her desk.

"My name is not hime." Mikoto said through clenched teeth. "I don't see why you insist on calling every girl princess."

"So I don't have to remember their names." Kouji winked.

"My name is Mikoto." Mikoto said.

"Well this sure is a friendly bunch." Kouji sighed suddenly feeling deflated. "Wonder who the teacher is…probably some deranged homicidal maniac who thinks it's funny when we get hurt or—"

"He's here." Nao finally spoke, motioning to the teacher who was waving at them.

A very familiar dark-haired ninja carrying a book (called How to be the Very Best Teacher) waved. "Oh, my pupils!" He smiled.

"I know that guy." Mikoto whispered. Nao glanced at her, wanting to ask for further information.

"Who dresses like that? Gay porn star is so not in right now." Kouji rolled his eyes.

"Follow me, my students." Sai led them outdoors to a quiet area. Other genin teams were gathering in similar secluded places.

Once they had all sat down, Sai began to speak. "According to my book, a teacher should always appreciate his students. One way to do this is hanging up your pitiful artwork on my refrigerator." He handed them markers and pens. "Go."

Mikoto's eyes widened in disbelief. Was this guy really a jounin, her teacher? She knew all jounins were privy to weirdness but there was something about that smile. She glanced at her teammates drawings—Kouji was drawing himself, Nao was drawing a garden and she looked down at hers. It was a pair of red eyes like her father's.

One by one, they handed in the pictures. "Awful. Really. You should really try harder next time." Sai smiled. "Tomorrow, I would like to meet you back here at seven am sharp. See ya."

As, Mikoto was walking home, "Mikoto-san?" Came a voice. She turned around to see Nao. "We're walking in the same direction…would you like to walk together?"

She chewed her lip. "Sure." They walked in silence until they reached Kakashi and Iruka's apartment. "Where do you live?"

"3-G." He said.

Mikoto knocked on the door. "Nice walking with you, I guess."

"Hn."

The door opened. Kakashi glanced at her and then at the boy. "Who's this?"

"Nao-kun, he's my—"

Kakashi blinked and turned to Mikoto. "Wait till Sasuke hears about this. He's going to ground you till your past you're childbearing years and he's going to rip this kid a new one…well not if I have anything to do about it." Kakashi smiled. "You break her heart and I will break you into several pieces. Got it?"

Nao looked at the copy ninja impassively.

Iruka walked up behind Kakashi, towel around his waist and his hair was soaked. "Oh, you met Nao-kun. He's Mikoto's teammate…Arisada Hoshiko's kid." Some unspoken understanding passed between them. Mikoto glanced at Nao only to see him digging his toe into the floor.

"Why don't you have dinner with us, Nao-kun?" Mikoto offered.

"No…it's fine." Nao said and turned to leave.

"Strange kid." Kakashi said. "It's to be expected though. When you have a mother like that." Iruka sighed.

"What happened?" Mikoto asked, curious.

"Arisada-san is in jail." Said Iruka, while Kakashi brushed his hair. "For the attempted murder of her son."

"Think I found a gray one." Kakashi said pulling a light colored hair off of Iruka.

The next day, Team Sai regrouped. The sun was already up but there was a slight chill in the air. While they waited, Kouji decided to break the silence.

"So…anyone got any pets…brothers and sisters, maybe?" Kouji asked awkwardly.

"No." Said Nao flatly.

"Are you kidding?" Mikoto rolled her eyes.

"Um, we need to get to know each other. We're going to be together…a lot." Kouji grumbled.

Sai eventually showed up. He wasn't late; they were just early. "Good morning. Now I'm supposed to give you a test to see if you're worthy to be my students. Tsunade-sama gave us a dull speech on how we're taking a gamble with you if we decide to teach you." He pulled out a deck of cards. "And that got me thinking. Gambling. What better way to live up to the Hokage's expectations than by playing poker?" He began to deal the cards. "Now show me your poker faces." Sai's goofy smile was replaced with an emotionless face with dark eyes.

His students gaped.

A few minutes later…

"Call."

"Call."

"I raise you fifty. By the way are we playing with real money?"

"Kouji!"

"No…we are playing with your chance to become a ninja. All you need to do is beat me."

Mikoto looked down at her cards. She had nothing. Just a bunch of number cards that didn't add up to squat; perhaps, she could bluff her way into winning.

More minutes passed.

"Can you show your cards now? I'm tired of this game." Kouji groaned; he was fidgety. He had folded when he realized there was no way he could win. It was all up to his teammates now.

"Sure." Nao said glancing up at Sai.

Mikoto showed her cards…nothing. She lowered her head in defeat, hoping that Nao had some trick up his sleeve.

Sai had a two-pair. The grin returned. He had a feeling about the winner.

Nao put down his cards. "I believe I win, sensei." It was a full house.

"Damn." Kouji muttered, slinging an arm around the blue-haired genin's shoulder. "Un-fucking-believable."

Sai opened his backpack. "I had a feeling you'd be the ones. In my book, I read a good way to unite the team is have one unifying quality or look. Since I have such great style, I made all of you mini outfits of mine. Now we can all have tummy love!"

Six eyes widened while their minds screamed in unison, "Why me?"

A/N: Penis, lolz. Yeah….I had to include Sai in here somehow. Blame the tummy.