Displaced
Act I— A Complicated Truth.
This time, this place— misused, mistakes.
Too long, too late, who was I to make you wait?
Just one chance, just one breath—
Just in case there's just one left.
It's time to just focus on living.
One day at a time.
On a chilly Thursday morning, a little over three weeks after the second time Root had been dismantled, this time unofficially and hopefully for good given Danzou's ignoble demise, I open my door to find six children on my doorstep.
A trio of—likely ANBU —also ping on my senses; they are hovering, hidden, around my property. Undoubtedly, Division Bo is keeping watch on my newest charges... and to be honest, I am more relieved than annoyed about that fact.
I assess my visitors silently, expression carefully molded into a neutral mask.
Black eyes, and familiar features in unfamiliar faces. Hair in various dark shades—barring one girl whose hair is an eye-catching red, though it's cut short enough to be little more than fuzz. We all have the same lanky build, even.
Six children.
So Tsunade spoke the truth, and all of them avoided the havoc we wreaked on Danzou's organization after all. A weight lifts from my shoulders; as much as I was committed to my previous actions, I feared that I would inadvertently kill those I had been trying to free.
Six Uchiha.
If it were raining, they would look more like six bedraggled wet kittens on my doorstep.
The tallest and oldest is about a year and a half my junior, according to the records I'd appropriated. He was given the codename 'Sai' by Danzou, though I suppose we could try to determine who he was before his abduction. If that's even something he wants.
By the way the former Root are standing around him, he's their de facto leader for the moment.
My first impression is: straight, dark hair, cropped close to his head. An eerily blank expression. My face has the same general shape. The same cheekbones. The same eyes. He is dressed in shinobi style attire, long sleeved black shirt and baggy trousers, and is armed, most obviously with a standard-issue tantou holstered over his shoulder. A glance upwards proves my guess right; a Konoha hitai-ate covers his forehead.
So that's how it is. Official Root members are quietly being assimilated back into Konoha's general forces, probably after a thorough vetting with Ibiki's people. I suppose that means he passed, since he's armed and with a Konoha forehead protector. Legally, that makes Sai an adult, although still nominally my responsibility if I choose to recognize him as a member of the clan.
At eleven, the next youngest child, the spiky-haired Noh, is old enough to take the graduation exam and become a shinobi. I'll have to ask him if that's something he wants, to continue in that career. Training is a necessity regardless— but he has some taijutsu training, at least, given his posture... The boy is reserved, but not as eerily blank-faced as Sai. A pair of identical toddlers clings to him, one to each leg, chubby fingers gripping his pants tightly.
There is also a five year old girl and seven year old boy— no names on record. Both are of an age to be attending the Academy.
And judging by the look of things, from this day on, all six of them depend solely on me.
Six traumatized children.
What was I thinking?! Can I even handle this level of responsibility? Saying that I would be the one to watch over and protect them... I may not have used words, but that's what I was saying. What of my duties to ANBU, the village? And in this world, war is always on the horizon. What if I— no.
This isn't the time.
I blink once, twice, and open the door wider, stepping aside with a slight smile. "Welcome home." I gesture for them to come inside, "Let's talk in the living room first, and then I'll help you get situated." This isn't merely duty. They are family, even if—
I need them as much as they need me, a quiet voice in my head admits. That is why I fought tooth and nail to retrieve them from that bastard's clutches, and then again to keep them.
...Besides, all those babysitting D-ranks had to be good for something.
The last thought causes me to snort softly as I corral my visitors into the living room, the four youngest settling on the couch while the two older boys hover over them protectively. I suppress a pang of hurt at that— you don't need protection from me— and retrieve a stool from the kitchen, taking a seat across from them.
We assess each other from across the room.
"Alright... Introductions should come first, I suppose. I am Uchiha Sasuke, age sixteen, Chuunin of Konohagakure, and de-facto leader of the Uchiha Clan." Of which you are a part, if you wish to be. Stay. Please. "Feel free to call me Sasuke-kun, or even Nii-san. ...Actually, just call me whatever you'd prefer."
I really do babble when I'm nervous. Well, I can't afford to wear a mask around them, anyway. I flush slightly in embarrassment, as six pairs of Uchiha-black eyes blink back at me.
Unnerving.
"So..." I gesture to the group of silent children, "What are your names?"
Sai straightens slightly, and takes the initiative, speaking in a quiet monotone. "I am called Sai; I am fifteen."
"Do you want to be called Sai?" I retort, head tilting slightly to the left. The teen blinks at that question, and replies in the same expressionless tone, if slightly questioning, "...It is an acceptable name?"
I respond by nodding agreeably, "Uchiha Sai, then. Unless you don't want to take the surname?"
"Uchiha Sai is acceptable."
A tense knot inside my chest unfurls, and I relax slightly, smile growing less strained, "I'm glad to hear that."
The spiky-haired eleven year old, his attire also Konoha shinobi standard, glances at Sai and then back to me. His voice is as equally controlled as Sai's, but... the words hint at hidden emotions. "Noh. I don't really like it. I'm eleven."
"Hm. Is there a name you would prefer? We can have it changed in the official records; Hokage-sama already gave me leave to do so."
"Yes." The boy stands silent for perhaps half a minute, and then— "Can I be called Yoshi? I... like that name."
"Of course, Yoshi-kun. Uchiha Yoshi it is."
Heavens above, the boy is trying to smile; it's just as awkward-looking as expected. "Thank you, Sasuke-sama." Two steps forward, one step back. The last thing I need is for a troop of children to call me '-sama' anything.
The younger children continue to sit, eerily silent... until the oldest girl speaks up. "Ano... The four of us— we don't have names."
"Hn. Well, if you don't have one in mind like Yoshi-kun, I can go find a book with names and you can choose one you like?" I rise from the stool— to be honest, I'd dug through my mother's things for a book of baby names for just this sort of situation. Just in case. I'd spent a lot of time fretting in preparation for the kids' arrival, trying to make certain I would have everything they needed, within reason. Proper clothing, for example, would have to wait until Ino met them.
"Okay!" The girl cheerily replies.
It appears emotional dampening isn't implemented extensively until after age five. Retrieving the book from a bookshelf across the room, I stride over to the couch, leaning on an armrest, and offer it to the girl. "Can you read, or would you like me to help?"
"Ahuh. I can read." The older boy sitting beside her nods as well. I pass the book over to them and glance to the two youngest. The two toddlers stare back at me without comment— I haven't heard as much as a peep from them yet. It's... unnatural for small children to be this quiet and still, I think sadly. I'll try to give them a happy childhood from now on.
Straightening, I consider the time— just past noon, and turn to Sai, who continues to loiter in the living room, looking awkwardly out of place. "Hmm. Sai-kun, have you eaten lunch yet?"
"No, Sasuke-san." The stoic boy replies calmly.
"Hmm. Is anyone allergic to any sorts of food? Nuts? Shellfish? Eggs?"
"No, Sasuke-san."
"Do you think you could at least call me Sasuke-senpai, if not Sasuke-nii?"
"Maybe, Sasuke-san."
I chuckle softly at that, "Alright, you've made your point. I did say you could call me whatever you felt comfortable with. In no one has any food allergies, I think I'll make stir-fry for lunch. Any of you are welcome to join me in the kitchen if you want to help. Otherwise, feel free to explore the house and grounds." As I've already implemented some rudimentary childproofing, and locked Naruto's door to ensure no sticky fingers got into his things. With that, I hastily retreat into the kitchen.
Kami above, I have no idea what I'm doing.
Not the cooking; I deftly cut vegetables into even slices without much thought. No—the parenting. Because taking these children in means becoming a responsible adult, a guardian, a parent to them. Maybe not for Sai, but definitely for the other five. But I helped raise Naruto. Sort of. And I have been a decent mentor to Hotaru-chan.
Enough! You're stronger than this, Sasuke. I shake the self-doubt away, and glance over to the entrance to the kitchen—Yoshi is lingering in the doorway, staring intently at me, particularly at my hands as I handle the knife.
Lips curling into a smile, "Yoshi-kun, is there something you want? Or would you like to help me make lunch?" I fully intend for all of them to eventually learn to cook, at the very least some basics. That is, assuming they don't know yet. It's a good skill to have.
"I do not know how to cook," Yoshi admits, lips angling downward in a mild frown. "That's fine. I can teach you, if you'd like. For now, how about you help by setting the table? There are some extra chairs we can use in that storage room, out in the hallway and to your left. Also, I found some high chairs for the littlest ones, don't miss those."
He obliges, fetching the extra chairs, then browses through the cupboards until he finds some dishes, and starts to set them on the table. I will need to get a larger table soon, especially if I want my friends to come and eat dinner with my... cousins. Next, the utensils— chopsticks for the older children, and small forks for the littles— are all placed appropriately.
"Why did you decide to take us in, Sasuke-sama? Why all of us?"
"Several reasons." Some of which are complicated. I really don't want to explain. Hands automatically handling the large pan on the stove, picking up a large wooden spoon to stir, I decide to summarize, "You are Uchiha. I am the current leader of our clan, such as it is. Thus, you are legally my responsibility. But that is probably the least important reason."
Setting my work aside for a moment, I turn to face Yoshi. "You, all of you, are family to me." In a better, fairer world, we would have been raised together. Regardless of the fairness or unfairness of this world— "I believe that family is important, whether it's people we are tied to by blood, or a family that we choose."
How could I abandon you, as I was abandoned?
"Because we're family, I want to give you a home, to support you, to help you achieve your goals in life." I want to cheer for you when you succeed and wipe away your tears when you are hurt. "Because that is what family does."
Yoshi blinks, and nods slowly. "I see."
You probably don't. But that's fine, too. We'll learn together.
I smile in reply. "Done setting the table? Could you go help the youngsters wash up? I'm almost finished. Ask Sai-kun to help you, too." With that, I turn back to the stove.
By the time my young cousins are back in the kitchen, I've scarfed down a quick lunch, and ensured the meal for the two toddlers would have pieces small enough for them to chew easily. I plan to watch them carefully to see if they need any assistance. Depending on their facility with utensils, a bath or change of clothes afterwards might be required.
Maintaining a conversation is a struggle, but I manage to keep the atmosphere relatively casual, despite the fact I'm nervously flitting around the kitchen, refilling glasses and sippy-cups with milk, juice or water, depending on the individual.
When a lull in the conversation comes, I question, "Did you decide on any names yet?"
"Hn." Suppressing a laugh at the stereotypical Uchiha answer, I look to the seven year old boy expectantly. He does not disappoint, mumbling a quiet, "Ryuuji. Uchiha Ryuuji."
"I'm Uchiha Naoko, Sasuke-sama! And the twins are Kyouya and Kyoko. I helped them pick their names out!" With that level of energy, she must have driven her previous caretakers up the wall. She'll get on well with Kuroi-chan; I'll have to introduce them. Hotaru-chan, too. She might like the opportunity to take the younger girl under her wing.
"Alright, I'll add you to the clan register tonight and notify Tsunade-sama tomorrow morning." I steep some fruit tea for myself, pouring a cup when the mixture is sufficiently cooled, and sip at it quietly.
"I need to ask— would you be comfortable staying in this house with me, or would you prefer to stay in one of the clan houses nearby? Either is fine, although Kyouya and Kyoko should stay with either me or Sai-kun. I suppose the rest of you aren't much younger than I was when I started living by myself... We'll have to clean and re-furnish the buildings if you'd prefer the latter, but it's no problem."
Again, there is an awkward silence, and six pair of dark eyes staring at me. Ah. Maybe I'm starting to overwhelm them with options? Naoko breaks first. "Which would you prefer, Sasuke-sama?"
"Hmm." The house has been very lonely these past three years. Cheeks warming, I glance away, certain I'm blushing, "Even if it will feel a little crowded, I would like for you to stay here. I meant it, when I said welcome home. And having you here would mean we can rear Kyo-kun and Kyo-chan together."
"...Can we still come here for meals whichever option we choose?" Sai questions, head tilting slightly to the right, like a curious bird.
"Of course, you're free to stop by whenever you like."
"I think I will claim a house nearby, if that is acceptable." Sai decides, "I would like room for my drawings."
"Alright, and the rest of you?"
A duet of "Hn" from Yoshi and Ryuuji, and a cheerful laugh from Naoko, "I'll stay here and guard Sasuke-sama and Kyouka-chan and Kyoko-chan."
And so it is decided.
The afternoon is spent touring the houses in the much reduced Uchiha compound, children in tow. Sai eventually chooses the house next door to mine, citing the need for easy access to food.
Dinner is takeout— a variety of different dishes for my foundlings to explore, so I can start determining who likes what sort of food before I have to make bento for Academy lunches. Barring some hellish cataclysm, I'll be confined to the village for the foreseeable future, per the Hokage's orders. Although, despite the chewing out she gave me once I was released from the hospital, being limited to ANBU duties in the village once I'm off sick leave isn't too awful a punishment. Even if she will dock my pay. Especially since that means I'll have time enough to help the younger Uchiha settle into village life before I start disappearing for days to weeks at a time.
Soon enough, it is evening, Kyouya and Kyoko falling asleep where they stand and Naoko not too far behind them, yawning and rubbing at her eyes. I scoop the two toddlers up into my arms, and carry them over to my bedroom, tucking them into my bed for now. I'll find the sleep clothes I set aside for them and transfer them over to the large crib I've set up in the room after I have everyone else situated.
Leaving the bedroom door ajar, I retreat to the living room. "Sai-kun, do you mind taking the couch for tonight? We'll get your new house organized tomorrow." The stoic boy nods, and I direct him to where the spare sheets are stored.
"Yoshi-kun, Ryuuji-kun, do you mind sharing a room with each other?"
"It's fine with me, Sasuke-sama," Yoshi obliges. Ryuuji responds with a sleepy-sounding, "Hn."
"Naoko-chan, you'll have your own room for now. I have a few friends that would love to help you decorate it. How does that sound?"
"That sounds nice, Sasuke-sama?"
I spend a few minutes chatting with the younger kids, keeping them distracted. Before long, Sai-kun has returned, and is folding out his bed, so I herd the three children into the bathroom to brush their teeth— considering how exhausted they seem, the showers will have to wait until tomorrow morning. "I know this a very different place from where you stayed before, so feel free to come get me if you need anything, no matter what the time is, alright? I'll be just down the hall."
I tuck all three of the young Uchiha into their beds, first the two boys, and then Naoko-chan, but decide against a kiss on the forehead— that level of affection might be a bit too much, too soon.
Retreating to my bedroom, I change the sleeping toddlers into some slightly-too-large pajamas— I'd had to guess on the sizes. I'll have to remedy that sometime this week. Sai, at least, can borrow my clothes without it being too awkward. And the younger three can use hand-me-downs until we can find the time to go shopping. The toddlers, on the other hand... I have no clue where Mother stored our baby clothes.
Maybe tomorrow.
I am the last to brush my teeth and settle into bed, thoughts of what tomorrow will bring circling like wolves in my mind. I forcibly push everything away and close my eyes.
I don't sleep for long.
No, the truth is, I barely doze. The younger Uchiha's heartbeats are rapid, fluttering things to my senses— especially the toddlers'. I recognize the problem relatively quickly— I am unused to having so many people in my house at once. And the fact is, I'm not used to having young children around me for longer than an hour or three. Teaching at the Academy and a handful of babysitting D-ranks have not exactly prepared me for this.
Kyouya and Kyoko are restless sleepers, tossing and turning in discomfort. Their blanket is quickly twisted, and then kicked off to the side of the large crib I'd relocated them into. By the time I rise to check on them, resigned to the fact that I will not be sleeping tonight, they are clinging to each other for warmth, brows furrowed and identical mouths scowling adorably. Mirror images, but for the differently colored pajamas.
Sighing softly, I retrieve their blanket, and tuck it around the pair, watching as their grip on each other loosens, expressions smoothing out. I watch them for a few more heartbeats, and the return to my bed.
My usual approach to the occasional bout of insomnia is to putter around the house or wander the village. However, I cannot afford to wake the rest of the house, nor do I want to not be here when they wake.
I find myself with ample time to sit and think.
Truly, a dangerous occupation.
It is early Saturday morning, barely past 6AM, and Sensei is in my kitchen.
Why?
He didn't knock. In fact, he probably entered through the kitchen window; the traps placed on the windowsill have been disarmed.
Why am I not surprised? I think with fond exasperation.
"Good morning, Sensei. As I'm still on leave for the next week and a half, barring any world-ending emergencies, I suppose you're not here for anything official?" I greet him with a tired grin. Someone— usually Kyouya-chan and Kyoko-chan— has trouble sleeping the night through. Every night. Just adjusting to the new situation, I suppose. Understandably, all of us are light sleepers. Everyone has been cranky, especially the twins, so I've had to encourage afternoon naps as a countermeasure.
Beyond that, they've been doing well. I'll need to see about school soon.
"Maa, maa... I'm here for breakfast, Sasuke-kun," the man explains with a cheery wave, "And to meet your new cute little siblings. Ino is brimming with curiosity and wanted to come along as well, but I persuaded her to wait." And Shino is out on a mission until Tuesday, so he can't provide you with more information.
I bite back a groan, completely unprepared to be social right now, "Can the inquisition wait until I've had coffee?" Eyes half-lidded, I stare at him entreatingly, "Please?" I'm not even that fond of coffee, but damn, I need the higher caffeine content right now.
"Experiencing the many, many joys of fatherhood?" Sensei gives an eye-smile and waves me away when I shuffle, zombie-like, towards the coffee grinder, indicating he'll handle that himself.
"Don't say that as if you've experience with it, shishou," I mutter bitterly as I ooze into a chair, resting my forehead against the kitchen table. A content sigh; the surface is blessedly cool— soothing. "They're good kids, but... Well. I knew they'd be a handful, even if it's not in the normal way. And I'm not their father, just a guardian. Sai-kun doesn't even need that, really."
Soon enough, Kakashi slides a mug of hot coffee in my direction, black as night and filed with enough caffeine to keep a civilian hyperactive for a week, no doubt. Sensei, I could kiss you. I stare at the large mug of coffee covetously, breathing in the rich scent, before gulping down the scalding liquid post-haste. It burns on the way down, but damn, I need that right now.
A refill, downed just as quickly, and I am starting to feel relatively human. "Right. Breakfast. Need to start breakfast... What would you like for breakfast, Kakashi-sensei?"
"Don't worry about it; I'll fetch you and your chibis something from the bakery." Okay. Who are you, and what did you do with Kakashi-sensei. That man is never this accommodating; he's a brazen mooch. I can count on one hand the amount of times he bought Team Seven lunch or dinner, and probably still have fingers left over. "Did you by any chance suffer a head injury recently, sensei?"
"No, what makes you ask that?" How the man can pull off a beatific expression with three-quarters of his face hidden, I'll never know.
"Never mind." I don't even want to know. I pull the coffee mug closer to my slumped form, cradling it gently in my hands and take a slow, deliberate sip. Sooo... goooood... "I'm just going to sit here and drink my coffee. Thank you for helping out, sensei. Nothing too sugary, please. I'm trying to limit their access to very rich foods for the first few weeks while their stomachs adjust. They had a limited diet before, so—"
Kakashi just ruffles my hair and disappears in a swirl of leaves.
"...that man thrives on confusion."
And for the next fifteen minutes, there is blessed, coffee-filled silence.
Fifteen minutes of peace, and then my gaggle of goslings is up and stumbling into my haven— barring the twins, who should be asleep for another half-hour or so.
"Sai-kun, Naoko-chan, Yoshi-kun, Ryiiju-kun." I try to remind them of their names, and their right to use them, every chance I get. "Good morning."
Naoko-chan and Ryuuji-kun both give me sleepy smiles. Sai, fully awake, nods in acknowledgement of the greeting. Yoshi-kun waves. "Sensei should be back with breakfast soon... Does anyone want juice? Milk?" Rising, I deposit my empty coffee cup in the sink, heading towards the refrigerator.
"Juice, please!" Naoko-chan chirps. Sai shakes his head mutely and meanders over to the coffee pot, pouring himself a cup.
Yoshi-kun retrieves enough empty glasses for six people. "Who is sensei?" He asks cautiously while arranging the glasses on the table, before heading back for plates.
"Aa, right. Hatake Kakashi. He was the jounin-sensei for my genin team. Technically, he's my shishou." And my immediate superior in ANBU, as well, although you don't need to know that. Having retrieved the orange juice, I pour some for Naoko-chan, who replies with a cheerful 'thanks', and place the carton at the center of the table, retaking my seat.
"Did everyone sleep well?" My adorable cousins stare at the table in unison. Note to self— stop asking about sleeping habits; nobody ever answers. Interesting that they are quiet enough, even in sleep, for any nightmares to go largely unnoticed. "Right. Never mind. Just... I am here if you have anything you wish to talk about." Graceful retreat, Sasuke, very graceful.
"Yoshi-kun, have you decided if you wish to continue your shinobi training?"
"I want to, Sasuke-sama."
"Then I'll file the paperwork. You'll have to take an exam to determine which academy year you'll be placed in. I'll help you locate study materials to review and then we can choose an exam date, if you'd like?"
"...Yes, Sasuke-sama."
"Ryuu-kun and I want to join the academy too!" Naoko pipes up, gesturing wildly; she's been acting the most childish of the lot. Which, objectively, makes her the least normal, technically.
"Hn. As you wish, Naoko-sama, so it shall be." I wink and salute her cheekily. Sai and Yoshi eye me with confusion, but the youngsters at the table giggle at my antics, causing my lips to curl into a genuine smile.
I suppose it is true, that young children are the most resilient.
"You really are good with kids, Sasuke-kun." A familiar voice interrupts our fun; sensei is back.
Kakashi watches as Sasuke serves the delicacies he brought back from the bakery, dividing the pastries among the children, ensuring everyone has a refill on the beverage that they favor—water, milk or juice for the younger children, coffee for Sai.
Seeing his student dote on the children, the first thought that comes to mind is— they are good for him. It has always been obvious that Sasuke truly thrives when he has people to care for: Naruto, Shino, Ino... even Mitarashi Anko and Kakashi himself. The Uchiha pulls others into his orbit by force of personality, and then proceeds to mother them. Relentlessly. Despite the Uchiha's claim that he became a medic because he enjoys the challenge of creating interesting assassination techniques, causing mysterious deaths... It's a bit of a weak argument when he sees Sasuke like this.
Yes, they are good for him. And he will be— is a wonderful father, for all his nervousness about the responsibility.
The children watch Kakashi with suspicious eyes, obviously wary. He gives a jaunty wave from his seat, body language relaxed, visible eye curved in one of his typical smiles. "Aa, so suspicious! Do you have any questions? I can tell you plenty of embarrassing stories about Sasuke-kun. For example, there was this one mission, where they were short a kunoichi, and he—"
At that, Sasuke gives a rather vicious glare. It's ruined entirely by the faint dusting of pink on his cheeks. "Kakashi-sensei. Must you? Besides, you weren't even there for that debacle."
He laughs, "Well, that's true. You could tell the story yourself, then?"
"Maybe later." His expression very clearly says 'no way in hell' instead. Kakashi laughs maniacally on the inside. After all, what's the point of having students if you can't torment them?
"Ano..." One of the boys— maybe the one Sasuke introduced as Ryuuji?— speaks up first, after a hesitant glance at Sasuke. "Were you really Sasuke-sama's jounin sensei? Sasuke-sama is only a little older than Sai-senpai. And you look really old."
Oh, ouch! Kakashi assumes a wounded expression, looking positively— droopy. "I'm not old! It's a normal hair color."
Ryuuji's retort is a skeptical-sounding hum. Naoko giggles, covering her mouth to stifle the sound— at whose antics she's laughing is uncertain.
"Mou, your kids are so cruel, Sasuke-kun. Just like you."
"Eat your breakfast, Sensei." His student says with an exasperated sigh. The'stop acting so embarrassing' heavily implied in Sasuke's glare. Kakashi gleefully ignores the silent command, and continues to make a nuisance of himself the rest of the morning.
There are several reasons for this... First, needling his students is something that must be done at every opportunity; it's practically in the teacher's handbook. Also, the longer he stays, the greater the likelihood he will be able to get a (delicious) home cooked lunch. Finally, loitering around the Uchiha means the children will adjust to his presence more quickly— important, as Sasuke has a limited number of people he would trust to watch the children, the other three members of Team Seven among them. It's also a fantastic excuse for being three hours late to an exceptionally boring meeting. Icing on the cake, really.
Enter a slew of OCs. Hmmm. (Happy? Unhappy?) Come on, did you think that situation would end in any other way? You know this Sasuke well enough to predict some things by now...
Filler, with a dash of mushy emotions. Well, okay, slice-of-life. I wanted to give Sasuke a chance to be domestic; he insisted, the brat... and then his complicated feelings about everything got in the way.
What's next? Well, there are still plenty of problems to tackle, but this is essentially the end of Act I. A short interlude, and then things will really start going sideways.
And to help everyone remember the Uchiha OC's, here's the list again:
Uchiha Male, Age: 15, Designation: Sai (Sai, who is technically not an OC.)
Uchiha Male, Age: 11, Designation: Noh (Yoshi)
Uchiha Male, Age: 7, U0016 (Ryuuji)
Uchiha Female, Age: 5, U0027 (Naoko)
Uchiha Male, Age: 3, U0042 (Kyouya)
Uchiha Female, Age: 3, U0043 (Kyoko)
Don't worry. The little Uchiha are here to stay, but they won't be taking center stage often, much like Aburame Hotaru.
Eikyuu Sonomi: Hah, Sasuke is definitely growing on her. Tsunade has developed a (very) grudging sense of respect for him. If they'd been born in the same generation, they would have been either the best of friends or the greatest of rivals (probably both). Instead she sees him as this kid with a lot of potential, but definitely a pain in the ass. Not as motherly as her feelings towards Naruto (they are technically distantly related), but grudgingly fond nevertheless.
Also— yes, the schedule is awful, but it's technically a "learning experience" so no, they don't pay medical students, they charge us lots of money for the honor instead. (Medical school is horrendously expensive. It's a bit of a running joke, even; I had someone call me "tuition" when addressing me in the OR the other day. It was hilarious, but also kind of demeaning.)
Guest: Thank you for the constructive criticism! I'm always working on my writing, and I'll keep your suggestions in mind. ^^;
*Lyrics from "Far Away" by Nickelback.