A/N Here is the second chapter.
Needs to be edited properly, but i'll get to that when I finish my next chapter of 'A Better Time' and my beta duties .
I hope you all like it. I will see you all in 48 hours :)
Disclaimer – I do not own Naruto.
THE TRIALS & TRIBULATIONS OF THE UCHIHA LIFE
-TWO-
The night sky of Konoha is a sight to behold from the Uchiha Compound. It is an area more secluded than the main village, and further into the wilderness. It's absolutely perfect to see the shining stars above with the darkness around. No main street lights to hinder the eves beauty, no shops to create unneeded hustle and bustle. A young couple sit upon the roof of their house, watching the wonder that is above them. An elderly man relaxes on his front porch before taking rest for the night. The compound is a quiet place, where the Uchiha's and renters lay their heads and build their homes. In many years to come the secluded community will be full of Uchiha's once more, creating a happy memory for this once blood stained place.
The main Uchiha Household sits amongst all other cottages, in the center of the main street. A large stone fence covers the sides of the home, leading around the back yard. The tops of the privacy shield are shingled with lovely black Japanese tiles, as per tradition. Uchiwa fans are painted in large scale upon the crème coloured fence, directly in the center of each wall.
The entranceway of the clan manor is visible to all who wish to look. With a red wooden archway at the start of the property, to signify the sacred place of the Uchiha. The Torii stands square and proud, showcasing the Uchiwa fan symbolically on either post. It is a sacred place before the Main House, and many visit to pay their respects.
Behind the arch, to the side, is a small shrine honouring the Uchiha since past. A small wishing pond surrounds the stone tablet, as koi fish swim beneath the waters surface, gracing the honoured area with their vibrant orange and black.
Japanese Maple mix vibrantly with the Sakura trees in a perfect harmony of pink and burnt red. The green grass upon the earth only furthers to compliment the small garden, with large stepping stones upon its surface. The flat rock pads lead from the Torii, through the private entrance toward the home.
The manor is three times the size of any of the other houses in width and height. A large porch surrounds the entire home, with lovely red wood for little feet to pad across. There is a training area in the back yard that is utilised by all shinobi living within. Though, there is a small area to the side that is for sitting. A stone bench is placed beneath a Sakura tree that has a large swing attached. The small stone lantern lights up the courtyard when in use, and makes the whole area glow golden.
Inside is a picture of tradionality with wooden floors, tatami mats, low setting tables and beautifully painted shoji screens. The kitchen defies the old ways with stainless steel counter tops that fade into deep red wood. This area is state of the art and built specifically for the matriarch to feed many a child. The main wing of the manor travels upstairs to a second storey where the children and Clan Head's lay per evening.
Despite the clearly expensive finishings and the best materials money can buy, this house is full of love. Behind a large shoji screen at the end of the main wing, is the main bedroom. Currently, Uchiha Sasuke and his wife Uchiha Sakura take rest for the night...but not before some mischief.
"Sasuke, I just got the children to sleep." The pink haired matriarch lightly scolds her frisky husband. The man does not heed her words and instead, continues to nibble along the column of her perfectly ivory neck. Little bites cover the woman's shoulders as his skilful mouth travels upwards toward dainty ears. A light sigh escapes her as she leans back into her man. It has been so long since they have had time alone together.
"They will stay asleep Sakura. You know that they are heavy sleepers like you." A smirk covers the raven haired mans face as he continues his work. Now slowly starting the kneed the muscles of the tired woman's neck and shoulders, causing a whimper from his lovely lady.
"I'm not sure if I should resent that..." Sakura replies breathily as a strong thumb presses against a particularly painful knot. It hurts so good...
"Don't, it's cute." Sasuke says quickly. He can't help it, the ninja thinks everything about his girl is adorable. Even her fits of anger.
"That's not what you would have said years ago." The pinkette continues to spout on about shinobi protocol and being on your guard, in a very convincing rendition of the Uchiha behind her. A slight pout covers his lips that she does not see, but he allows her to tease. Sakura loves teasing him. At the start of their relationship it really got to him. Sasuke didn't see it coming because the pink vixen that she is was always hidden from him when they were young. Too afraid to be herself in front of the big bad Uchiha. It creates a mix bag of emotions within him now, when the light of his life reacts in a way that throws him off guard. Sakura is not the meek girl any more and the stoic shinobi certainly didn't know how to handle her ribbing. Especially when her lips form into that perfectly straight line, emerald eyes giving away nothing. Sasuke hates it still, when he can't figure out if his wife is joking or not. What makes it worse, is that the kunoichi loves every minute of it. Sometimes he thinks that Sakura will get him angry on purpose just to see him yell. That girl is crazy that's for sure.
"I don't sound like that." Sasuke finally says, stopping the kisses along her form. It is obvious that Sakura wants to mess with him first.
A musical laugh fills the room as pink eyebrows raise in incredulity. That bitch. More than once has he caught Sakura and Naruto doing impressions of him in their living room. It would be all well and good aside from the fact that his son, Itachi, is quite adept and mimicking. Sasuke remembers the mini man with ebony hair and black rimmed eyes standing tall and waving his finger, putting on a mock serious face. The child's pre pubescent voice is lowered as far as he could manage, as his second arm is placed behind his back as the heir stands tall. A scowl is plastered across his little face and a perfect impression of his father leaves his mouth. Sasuke didn't know whether to be upset at his disrespect to his elders or crack a gigantic smile at the adorableness of it all.
Yes, Sakura really has made clan tradition a little askew. If he had of talked to his father the way the household interacts with him, Sasuke would not be alive today.
"I'm happy that Akane is back at work." His wife pulls him from his wandering thoughts. "Even if she is busy looking after Emiko for Naruto and Hinata." Sakura is so glad that they get to share a tutor between Shisui and Emiko. It just means she gets to see more of the Hokage. Though, Akane is their live in nanny, the Uchiha's don't mind sharing the child care.
Sakura sighs happily, thinking on Naruto and his little family. Soon they will birth their own baby, and the true heir to the Hyuga clan. Despite, Emiko's origins, both parents love her very much. "I'm happy that they found each other." The pinkette says, "I'm happy that Naruto got what he wanted."
"Hn. I'm glad too. Even if I have to see the dobe every after noon when he picks her up. It doesn't matter though, because I get you all to myself now. The children can annoy her for awhile." A smirk graces his features as he waits for what comes next.
"Sasuke!" Sakura hits him lightly, though a smile sits upon her cherry lips. "They are not annoying." The pinkette exclaims.
"You're annoying." The Uchiha tells her quickly in that bland tone of his.
This medic is so odd. They must really be a strange couple, because this only brings the woman back to his original goal. Flipping over quickly, Sakura straddles her husbands lap and gives him an enticing kiss. The satin camisole feels glorious beneath his calloused hands as her lithe body presses against his. Her breasts feel silky against his bare chest and Sasuke wishes to feel more.
Pulling away with bed room eyes, the pinkette husks, "I'm you're annoying." Then she proceeds to leave luscious pecks all along his skin, where ever her mouth can find.
With a groan, Sasuke closes his eyes and enjoys the attention.
"Always have been..." He rasps his response, as lips cover a now raging erection.
Yeah, he is the master of seduction...
xxx
Six Months After Shisui's Birth -
The emergency room is hectic as Tsunade and Shizune dart from patient to patient. A particularly vicious viral infection has spread throughout a small area of Fire Country, and instead of containing it, some idiot decided it would be best to bring the patients to Konoha.
It is almost midnight and everything is starting to amp up. Despite the hours previous being very slow and dead, it is obvious now that it was the calm before the storm. Nurses call out to each other with hospital jargon, and patients continue to roll through the doors. At least five teams have come back from missions tonight, and it does not look good. Many are unharmed, but check ups will still need to be performed when the time comes. There are at least three teams with minor injuries and more that are badly hurt. Thankfully, the shinobi are all Jonin and can withstand the pain until they can be tended to. Sans, the dying.
The Viral Infection is just another block in the road for the Hokage and her off sider. Thankfully, the five sick were sealed away in a containment Jutsu upon arrival. Now, the anti contamination team are doing their best to keep the virus under wraps. It doesn't help that ANBU team one and two have just arrived back from an extended mission, exhausted and almost dead.
Make that seven teams waiting for attention.
"This is getting out of hand." Ino growls as she swiftly calls over all available nurses. It is time to get to work! "Hinata!" The blonde Jonin barks at the heiress.
"Coming Ino-shishou!" The dark haired woman springs into action. She hopes that Naruto's team is not beneath those masks, as her night blue locks are pulled into a hair net. "We can do this." Hinata says to herself, gaining as much confidence as possible. It is a strange trick, but it has worked for years in banishing her jitters.
...
"Tsunade-sama, Hinata-san is not trained in viral detection and Ino-san is working on the ANBU as much as possible. I would do it but I have a level 8 procedure that must go forward in operating room 3. I have sent the trainees to compile reports on the other Jonin teams, to determine if serious medical care is needed. I'm at a loss. What do we do?" Shizune questions her mentor as her scrubs are thrown on quickly, hands moving beneath the sterilised water for the appropriate amount of time.
The Hokage sighs deeply. "It seems that there is no other way around it." She mutters to herself regretfully. Their best medic is on maternity leave at the moment, but it looks like she will have to jump into the inferno just this once.
"Shizune. I'll summon Sakura." The woman begins with a stern expression.
"But Tsunade-sama Sakur-" The woman starts, only to be cut off by her snapping leader.
"There is no other way around it! Do you have a better idea? Sakura can do the virus investigation that requires the most rest and thinking time. Hinata, Ino and their team will be assigned to ANBU. I will hold down the Emergency room and you will get to your Level 8!" The Hokage orders, her feminine voice growing more authoritative by the second.
Deciding not to question her superior, Shizune nods. "Hai! Hokage-sama." With a quick bow, the med-nin is racing through the double doors toward operating room 3.
…
Not fifteen minutes later does Haruno Sakura tumble through the doors of the Emergency room. The pink haired medic looks tired, but ready to work. There is a determination within her emerald depths that suggests she wants this challenge more then they need her to be here. Despite, being on maternity leave, Sakura is one that never stops moving.
"Tsunade-sama!" Konoha's top medic calls out to her mentor, spotting her over at an empty bed. That's a bit strange.
"Ah, Sakura, I'm glad you made it." The Hokage greets with a slightly irked tone beneath her words.
"What's wrong Shishou?" It has been many years since Sakura graduated from beneath Tsunade. That doesn't matter to the young kunoichi though.
Tsunade chuckles wryly as her eyes scan the very spacious multi purpose room. The entire second floor is devoted to instant cases, therefore, it requires a large area. Over 80 beds surround the floor, and more than half are full.
"Nothing much Sakura. Just idiot Jonin's wasting my time." The woman notices the quizzical look covering the pinkettes face, because she continues, "Your sensei, Hatake, was injured quite badly. Hinata said that she was able to stabilise the wound and I was just about to get to it. I said hello to him and then when I turned around to get my kit, he was gone." Tsunade's frown deepens even more.
"Oh, Kakashi..." Sakura says to herself softly, "I wouldn't worry too much about that Shishou. He is big enough and ugly enough to look after himself." The medic refers to her predicament. "Now. What can I do? I'm glad that the Hospital is doing fine without me."
"Hah!" The blonde woman begins to walk at a brisk pace, expecting Sakura to follow. "You know very well that this place falls into a heap the moment you are gone. I am also aware that you love hearing it." A wry smile grows upon Tsunade's ruby lips as Sakura falls in step with her. "I know that you have duties as the Uchiha head Sakura, but I think in another six months this place will be almost destroyed."
"Well it's a good thing I offered to do paper work that Shizune-senpai brings me, isn't it?" The pink haired medic replies, without a beat.
"Hm." Her mentor makes a unintelligible sound before opening up a folder and running through the cases as quickly and thoroughly as possible.
In the end Sakura determines, "This will be a long night, hey Shishou?" A smile does not leave her face and although the Uchiha is obviously tired, a fire runs throughout her veins...
The flame of medical purpose.
xxx
The sun peaks over the horizon, blinding all who dare look its way. The golden pink tones flitter throughout the harsh yellows, giving the illusion that the light is dancing across Hokage Mountain.
Villagers are yet to rise and Ninja go through their morning routine, having been awake for a couple of hours already. Aside from those who worked the night shift. Shinobi who had that unlucky job, walk home at a lazy pace, ready to jump into bed and sleep the day away.
In the center of the Village, Konoha Hospital buzzes with waning business. The initial onslaught of patients died down after the first three hours, leaving only the most serious cases and new patients. Long term patient care is on level four, and thankfully is being taken care of by the day shift.
Shizune moves from ANBU to ANBU checking their vitals and making sure that Ino's procedure went according to plan. When Sakura took reign of the Hospital, Shizune was the one that suggested she get an apprentice. Yamanaka Ino would not have been her first choice, but Shizune cannot fault the results. The blonde clans woman has done very well in the art of medicine and is the fourth best medic in all of Konoha, even taking on a student of her own.
Hinata-san is a lovely girl and both Tsunade and Shizune are happy that Naruto will settle down with such a person. The fact that she will have completed her medical training by the time Naruto is Hokage will be a plus.
Konoha is certainly building a sturdy lot of Shinobi to follow in their foot steps.
They will not have to fear for their future.
Turning to the last patient, that is awake, the woman smiles brightly. "Good morning Sai-san. How are you feeling?"
"I am quite fine Shizune-san. When may I be released?" The ebony haired nin asks blandly.
Still, Shizune smiles happily. Sai always manages to come back unscathed, he is really a good ninja. "Now if you like? Come we will fill out the paper work."
…
"Done!" Sakura hollars, slamming her fist against the lunch table. Tsunade rouses from her temporary slumber, against the hard wood object.
"You have figured it out?" The sleepy woman sniffs and looks around the room with narrowed eyes. The pinkette merely waves a hot cup of coffee in front of her face, waiting for her attention.
"There is no sake in there Shishou." Sakura smirks lightly, teasing her mentor.
"Shut up." Tsunade replies snappily. This woman is not a morning person!
"Any way. You were missing a component, that is actually quite fixable." The pink haired analysis leader points to the sheet of paper covered in complex algorithms, followed by a few hand drawn charts and herb properties. "After taking the sample of the deceased you gave me. I was able to determine that this is a rather common pneumonia that has been mutated because of an uncommon influenza brought into this section of fire country." Sakura points to a map on the other side of her, where a circle is drawn around the perimeter. "You remember the sports games that the civilians participate in every year. You sent a team of us to bless the proceedings just before war was declared. Myself, Neji and Shikamaru attended for an entire week." She adds conversationally, rambling towards her point. "It was horrible, anyway, when we were there the civilians travelling from water were all sick. Everyone got the flu and then I had a lot of healing to do to get the event up and running again."
"What does this have to do with the virus Sakura?" Tsunade's patience is beginning to wane. It is too early for such a long story.
"I think that it happened again. Water brought in their strain of flu that is mainly bronchial, as opposed to Fire Countries milder infections. There was no medic to heal them all this year, so it has spread to others. That coupled with the strange weather we have had in the past months, giving the people pneumonia who are already infected with Water's strain of influenza, and you have yourself a bronchial spasm party to the extreme! It has moved from the chest to the brain affecting the way the nervous system reacts to the virus. It is quite contagious, despite it's humble origins." The Uchiha finishes finally.
"I was able to detect the same flu present in the sample you gave me, and Shizune tells me that the other symptoms present as pneumonia despite being extreme. First, we will need to give them an anti viral that I will whip up for the first infection and then once it is safe we can remove the liquid from their lungs and do a final check up."
"I knew we hired you for something." The Hokage smiles wryly, standing up from the hard wooden chair.
"I'll take this down to poison analysis and make the immunisation. Are you able to inform Ino and Hinata that -" Her words are cut off by the lunch room door swinging open quite abruptly.
Hinanta and Ino rush through, blood covering their chests and a containment Jutsu covering their forms.
"Tsunade-sama, Sakura-sama we lost one of the patients!" Ino exclaims, unable to hug her best friend because of the bubble surrounding her.
The Hokage and Sakura turn to each other, a silent agreement being made.
"Hinata, come with me!" Tsunade orders, "Sakura you will work on the antidote while Ino decontaminates. The two of you can get enough batches done together. We need to work quickly."
In a rush of feet and slamming doors – The lunch room is empty.
xxx
"Tsunade-shishou!" The first door of the contamination chamber opens swiftly, as hands fly through signs in a flurry. Once safe from contamination, Ino and Sakura enter the main room where the sick are being housed.
There are four people lying on the standard issue hospital beds, the fifth bed is empty. Ino takes her tray of injections throughout the room, and she orders Hinata to administer them while the blonde works on the liquid in the lungs. Hinata however, with the Hokage. Sakura will need to check their brains, but that can be done once the patients are out of the woods.
Glancing over at her mentor, Sakura notices Hinata and herself talking in hushed tones. The strange thing is, the infant held within Hinata's arms. The child looks just shy of four years old, possibly even younger.
"What's going on?" The pinkette asks softly, not wanting to wake the sleeping child.
Tsunade turns to her subordinate, "This child's mother was the woman that died. Hinata told me upon arriving that the woman said the father is from Konoha. The child hasn't woken yet and there was no man around when they were brought in." Sakura doesn't understand what is going on, but she continues to listen.
"Sakura, Tsunade-sama did a DNA test to determine who the man was." Hinata pipes up quietly. "We thought we could find him and reunite the two, even though the circumstances are tragic." Her soft voice holds sorrow, as her pale eyes look down at the dark haired baby girl.
"Were you able to find him?" The pinkette wonders if he is a horrible man, perhaps someone unsavoury, or even someone that will not take accountability.
Hinata tries to speak, but stops. Too sad to continue. Instead, Tsunade steps forward, placing her hand on Sakura's shoulder. "The father is unfortunately deceased, since the war."
"Who was it?" What a horrible series of events.
"You know how you attended the sport games a couple of years ago?" Tsunade asks, just as Hinata cuts in.
"The father is Neji, Sakura. This is Neji's baby." Hinata's voice is clear, her pale eyes show strength and determination. "I don't care what my father says, I am keeping her...and," The woman takes in a deep breath, looking back at the child and then into Sakura's deep green eyes, "I will marry Naruto, sooner rather than later!" Her resolve is as hard as stone, voice firm and strong. It is obvious that Hyuga Hinata will not take no for an answer.
Well that is unexpected...
xxx
Present Day -
"Bye bye Shisui!" A pretty young girl runs down the stairs of the Uchiha Household. A smile covers her alabaster face, and her pale eyes gleam with happiness.
Running into her father's arms, he catches the child torpedo easily. "Emiko! Did you have a fun day, huh?" The blonde Hokage asks his daughter, white and red robe flowing in the afternoon breeze. Her little hands fist in the orange of his shirt and the man smiles down at her with devotion. Blue eyes rise, after pecking the girl on the forehead.
"Akane-san, is Sakura-chan home?" The blonde Hokage smiles cheerfully at the brunette, standing beside the little Uchiha. Shisui stands silently, as onyx orbs watch the older Emiko with keen eyes. His face is unreadable, but Naruto has seen those eyes before. So bland and unyielding, yet full of interest. He is not sure he likes it. Granted, they aren't even in the academy yet...Uchiha's are just too much trouble.
Chuckling at his thought, Naruto zones back in on the Nannies words. "-and nothing much else happened. Though, Emiko did do very well at shuriken toss this morning. Her average has risen almost to Shisui-chan's." Akane finishes telling him about their day.
"And Sakura?" The blonde asks with confused blue eyes.
"Oh." Akane, gazes at her leader a little startled. "Yes. As I said, Lady Sakura is with the Master Uchiha." A slight blush covers her cheeks and the woman looks downward. "They have asked not to be disturbed for anything." Her voice is softer now, but Naruto gets the gist.
Sighing heavily, the hero of Konoha smiles openly to Akane. "Those two like teenagers, ne? You will be looking after a whole brood of Uchiha's soon enough!" A bark of laughter leaves his form and Emiko vibrates in his grasp.
"Yes..Well- Uh, Hokage-sama." Akane fumbles, turning an even brighter shade of red.
"Relax! Just learn to laugh about it...I have." Naruto turns, preparing to make his leave. Hinata is expecting him home now. Speaking of his very pregnant wife, "Hinata-chan said to say hello Akane. That she will see you this Saturday at the Estate." The Hokage informs, his grin no less foxy than normal.
"Ja ne!" The leader of Konoha walks away with a spring in his step. For the youngest leader of the Village he is certainly the best, but still...a little strange.
"Sayonara, Hokage-sama." Akane bows to his retreating back. "Let's have some afternoon tea, hey?" The woman gazes down at Shisui, who looks up at her with his apathetic gaze.
"Hn." He replies standardly.
"Alright then." Akane smiles brightly, despite the child's non expression.
The door to the Uchiha Main House shuts lightly as the two trot into the kitchen for some sustenance. Itachi will be home soon from school and the three will have dinner with Uchiha Sasuke and Sakura.
The only question is, what to cook?
xxx
A/N Well there you have it. Second chapter is done.
Next chapter will be more Uchiha related. I hope you liked this one and am looking forward to your comments :)
Itachi's Birthday is next up and we will get to see all of Konoha's little progenies.
If you liked this chapter and want to read more in the next 48 hours. Please, review!
It gives me the fuel I need to write :D
Thanks for reading!
MerinxD