Disclaimer – I do not own Naruto.
TRIALS & TRIBULATIONS OF THE UCHIHA LIFE
-SIX-
The Hokage's office is solemn as the gang place themselves amongst sighting reports and a strategy board. They could call this meeting in the war room, but Naruto is not a fan of the formality of it all. Instead, everyone is gathered around haphazardly, much like when they were all a combat ready cell, planning out the mission ahead. Some of the team is placed upon the floor with crossed legs, like Sakura and Sai. Kakashi leans against a wall looking as bored as ever. However, the distinct lack of Icha Icha suggests that the copy nin is feeling the seriousness of the situation. Sasuke stands, ever the regal clan head, despite there being an empty chair for his person. Naruto is placed behind his desk like always, though now, a very grim expression covers his usually smiling face.
Outside, the villagers go through the motions of every day life. The sun is shining brightly, as noon arrives. With it, comes the the swelter that always accompanies the midday hours, that are foregrounded by the light humid press of moist warmth. The heat wafting from the ground, in puffs of hoof trodden dust, (created by the days hustle and bustle), mingle with the lovely breeze that the Village is never without. The children of the Academy give Iruka and Shikamaru absolute hell, being extremely exuberant today. Off duty shinobi enjoy their time training or wandering the markets with no real aim. Nothing is out of the ordinary, aside from the Hokage being unavailable with no exceptions. Usually, Naruto is a very approachable person. Luckily for the foxy leader, it is a relatively lazy day, on all accounts. The ANBU stationed around the village do their jobs dutifully and with precision, being undetected by even the people of Konoha. All in all, the Village Hidden in the Leaves is doing a wonderful job at seeming quite ordinary, in the event that hidden eyes of ill intent are watching.
The days preceding having been tough on the extended Team 7. What with Orochimaru's resurface, and all the feelings and fears the snake sennin brings. The tone within Hokage Tower serves as a stark juxtaposition with the tranquillity of the Village outside.
Of course, the children (along with their teams), stay cooped up at the Uchiha Main house. Hinata and Akane are camped out at the kitchen counter, pot of tea brimming with deliciously scented steam. The women are trying very hard to keep their spirits high, to avoid upsetting the young shinobi in the next room. ANBU are hidden well, but the adults know of their presence.
Itachi and Shisui have told their parents, Sasuke and Sakura, that they are fine. That there is nothing to worry about, because they have absolute faith in their Otou-san and Okaa-san. However, that is a little bit of a fib. Not that the Uchiha boys don't have faith in their parents, because they really do. It is more the aura of bad events to come, that wanes upon their overall confidence, and mood.
Currently, Itachi and Kenji are sitting upon the plush coffee coloured couch. Both boys cannot help a little sigh emit from their mouths every moment or so. Shisui sits close by, on the floor, with a shogi set in front of him. His brother's depressing motions make his eye tick, and jaw clench, every time Itachi lets out a moan or groan. Emiko plays the traditional strategy game with the younger Uchiha, while Mei watches on with a bored gaze. The blonde daughter of Shikamaru and Ino has the stunning blonde hair of her mother, and lazy features of her father. Though, bright blue eyes adorn her pretty heart shaped face. Her mother says that it is a great injustice to be so apathetic with lovely eyes like hers.
The third member of Shisui's squad plays with a bug upon the window sill, enraptured with the small creature. With a smile, the boy with medium brown hair allows the minute animal to crawl up his arm and into his mysterious form. Abrume Tomu is the strangest member of the team, but he is a valuable asset, having used his bug friends on more than one occasion to save their butts! Shisui's Okaa-san has said many times that Tomu's Otou-san, Shino, is a great man. His wife, and member of the Abrume clan and daughter of Shikuro Abrume, is a dutiful partner for the Special Jonin.
"This sucks." Kenji lets out, uncharacteristically. Usually, Lee's son is a lot more positive. Days of captivity will do that to a child.
The Hokage and gang felt that it is best to confine the youth together in case the enemy planned on finding a weakness through the other young team members.
"It does..." Itachi replies, gazing out the large glass window longingly. It has been days since he has been able to do a Katon, and it is really getting to the boy.
"There is no use whining about it, baka." The younger Uchiha responds, tone harsh. He moves his shogi piece into play and wins the third game in a row.
Emiko scowls, looking more like Neji than ever before. "It's not fair, you always win Shi-kun." The girl is about to complain some more, but is cut off by Shisui's Aniki.
"Yeah, Shi-kun. It's not fair!" Itachi mimics, forgetting his sour mood for the moment. He can never resist a moment to tease poor little Shisui.
Kenji makes kissy faces beside the raven haired Chunin as his face takes on a dreamy look. He must have learnt it from Lee. Though, his ribbing is very much like his Okaa-san, Tenten. The most versatile weapons user in the whole of Fire Country.
To his credit, Shisui does not turn the shade of his favourite fruit. However, Emiko is starting to look more pale by the second.
With a scowl, Shisui intervenes. "Stop it Onii-san, you are embarrassing Emiko." The boy looks annoyed but does not sound as angry as before. There is a slight pleading to his words.
Thankfully, Itachi listens to his beloved younger brother, choosing instead to leap off the couch and into the middle of the living room.
"I have an idea." The youth says, gazing at the five people around the room.
"What is it?" Kenji whispers in a loud rendition of a rasp.
"Shh. Kenji, inside whisper." Itachi tells him. "Our parents are probably thinking of a plan right now, to get rid of this Orochimaru. Yes?"
"Your point brother?" It isn't much of a question.
"I think we should make our own strategy. They will obviously try and keep us out of this, but what if Okaa-san and Otou-san get hurt? I don't want to just sit here and do nothing, and Naruto-jii says that the underdog always prevails when all is lost."
"We are the underdog." Emiko surmises, a spark entering her pale grey eyes.
"Exactly..." Black rimmed orbs stare at the ground, awaiting a reply.
"Why would we do this?" Shisui asks flatly. He does not see the need for something so trivial.
"Okay, when our ryoshin are down on their luck I'll just say – 'Sorry Okaa-san, Otou-san...Shisui-chan didn't see the point." Itachi reasons bitingly, knowing the suffix will annoy the hell out of his Otouto.
"I wouldn't be adverse to such actions." Tomu says, continuing to eye off a trail of bugs upon his arm. He doesn't participate in trivial conversation frequently. His bugs are enough, and that is why the boy is Shisui's favourite.
"I want to!" Kenji fist pumps the air, covering his mouth quickly. It is too late though, the loud noise has already erupted around the room.
"What's going on in here?" Akane comes into view, looking as stern as ever. Her black brows are knitted in a frown and arms are placed maternally on her hips.
Uh oh...
"Kenji wishes to bake a treat Akane-chan." Shisui replies, gazing up at his beloved nanny with blank eyes. Still, it is enough to thaw the woman's heart.
"Oh! Well if you say so!" She smiles happily, raising her hands in a soft clap. Shisui knows that there is nothing Akane loves more than baking all sorts of sweet goods. Unfortunately for the woman, the youngest Uchiha is not a fan of such things.
"Come on then Kenji-kun!" Akane all but dances to the boy, taking him by the arm.
As he is dragged away softly by the humming woman, Shisui and Itachi gaze in Kenji's direction with matching Uchiha smirks.
Now, to plan...
xxx
"So those are our options..." Naruto tells the room before him, blue eyes a picture of seriousness to match his no nonsense mouth. "Kakashi. What plan do you favour?" The Hokage turns to the silver haired nin, now standing to attention unable to help the slight slouch of his form, he gazes at his leader.
"I think that we should take an alternative approach, Hokage-sama." Kakashi replies, his obsidian orb meeting Naruto's gaze.
"Stop that." The Hokage says in reply to Kakashi's formal tone. Sure this is a time of seriousness, but having his mentor treat him so formally is just...weird. The copy nin seems to know what he is talking about because a small smile graces his mask covered lips, before disappearing behind a mask of nonchalance. "What is your plan?" Naruto asks, knowing that it can't possibly fail. Not if Kakashi is the one bringing it to the table.
The group wanted to wait until Tsunade and Shizune arrive home from Grass, but that option doesn't seem feasible, with the long journey the two women have ahead of them. In the end, Naruto decided to go forward with proceedings and the helpful med-nins can have an input upon their return.
With that being said, the Hokage sits and waits for Kakashi's ground breaking strategy.
"If I understand correctly." The silver haired man begins. "Sasuke and Sakura will want to play a large part in this mission." The two mentioned ninja nod in agreement. "Perhaps, a henge strategy? Both Uchiha's are true gen jutsu shinobi, and will be able to play the parts of their children perfectly." Kakashi finishes ambiguously.
"I see where you are going." Sasuke interjects. "A lure so to speak?"
"Exactly. It would not be strange for me to be the observing sensei as well. The only dilemma we face is a third person to attend the mission. We would also need to wait a time, and lower the guard, or at least make it seem like our suspicions have passed."
"I want to be the third person, but my position won't allow for it." Naruto looks downcast. Nevertheless, he enjoys the sound of this plan.
"Che, and your henge looks just like your father. Who in turn looks like you. Dobe." The raven haired Uchiha let's out, unable to help himself.
"Respect for your Hokage!" Sakura scolds, slapping her hand against Sasuke's gut in a reflexive action. Something she finds herself doing all too often these days. Her hand springs back to her side as the pinkette moves into her 'respectful stance'.
"Tch." Sasuke does not add anything else. He is nothing if not a man who chooses his battles wisely.
Naruto chooses to ignore his best friends comment, but cannot help letting his eyes clash with the Uchiha's for a second before moving on.
"I think that in the event that Orochimaru is watching, we make the mission unavoidable. If we can't do that, then have ANBU stationed with your team as well. It won't be hard for that snake bastard to find an opportunity to strike, you just need to make it look real. As for the third nin, I would say Hinata but someone needs to stay with the children. It is a shame since her gen jutsu is amazing." The blonde sighs, deep in thought. After a moment, he comes to a conclusion. "Unfortunately, all of our gen jutsu types are away on business. We cannot use someone with mediocre skills. I think we might have to use someone who is age appropriate, but very strong. Any ideas?"
Sasuke stays silent, he does not make it a point to watch over any children but his own. He has nothing to offer this part of the conversation.
"I suggest a Jonin, Naruto." Kakashi gives his input.
At this, Sakura sighs. Only one name comes to mind, and something tells her that her eldest son will not be happy about it. Really though, all the other age appropriate shinobi are either too low in rank or completely inappropriate.
"Itachi isn't going to like this...but what about Hanabi?" The pinkette is certain with her choice, yet it doesn't mean she has to be happy about it.
"What are your reasons Sakura-chan?" It sounds dead weird, the Hokage calling her such an informal name. Though, the familiar face beneath that ridiculous hat quells the feeling.
"For a number of reasons, Hokage-sama." Sakura ignores the disapproving look sent her way by the blonde, and keeps talking. "Hanabi is a Jonin and a very good one at that. Even though she is fifteen, the girl is small for her age and very agile. Also, her medical training may come in handy, as well as the byakugan. I was also the advisor on her first Jonin mission. The girl has deception skills."
"I agree." Sasuke adds to the table. If Sakura thinks it is a good idea, then it is a god damned good idea!
Kakashi nods his assent, and Sai looks on blankly.
"Naruto-kun. What do you wish me to do?" The ex root nin speaks tonelessly.
"Sai, I would like you to canvas from the sky. Be as covert as possible, you cannot be seen. I know you have your ways." The hero orders softly. He is pleased, it looks like this plan is coming together, and it is much better than their scouting ideas.
"It is understood." Sai replies, nodding in conjunction with his words.
"I will brief Hinata on the events of this meeting and instruct her to place a gen jutsu over the Uchiha Main house. In case of watchful eyes, we want the premises to look and sound empty. The children will also need to be briefed on partial events. I will deliver the plans myself tonight, we cannot have this in anyone else's hands. Is that understood?" Naruto is all business now, and strangely enough, it really suits him.
"Hai!" The room choruses obediently.
"Team Kakashi. You will move out at 0 700 hours, in henge and ready to go. Do not be late." The Hokage fixes his gaze on one man in particular. Though, something tells him that Kakashi will be on time for once. This is far too important.
"Hai!"
"You are dismissed!"
Tomorrow, Team Kakashi are going to catch themselves a snake...
xxx
A/N Well that is another chapter done :D Any mistakes will be fixed up tomorrow.
If you are all lovely with a review there will be another chapter tomorrow. Just a sasusaku tid bit before they set off on their mission. I haven't written it yet, but it's there, in my head xP Of course I will have to write and update my itasaku as well, but I'm always up for a challenge :D
This story will probably be about 15 main chapters and a bunch of interludes, before I move onto the prequel of Trials and Tribs and explore Sasuke and Sakura's relationship directly after she finds out she is pregnant with Itachi. The general ups and downs of their relationship and learning how to be together properly, without concrete walls or a war going on outside. Don't know how long it will be, but that's all g.
Anyway, What did you think of this chapter?
If you liked it and wish to read more (and a sasusaku interlude tomorrow, it's 10.47 pm sat here) then, please, REVIEW!
They make me feel all warm inside :D
See you on the flip side!
MerinxD